THE STRUCTURE
AND DYNAMICS OF
AUSTRALIA’S
SHEEP
POPULATION
Prepared for
Office of the Chief Veterinary Officer
June 2006
Prepared by
Hassall & Associates Pty Ltd
PO Box 1052
DUBBO
NSW 2830
Ph: 02 6884 6250
Fax: 02 6884 6249
Structure and Dynamics of the Australian Sheep Industry
TABLE OF CONTENTS
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY................................................................................. 1
1 BACKGROUND......................................................................................... 3
1.1
1.2
1.3
PURPOSE OF THE STUDY ................................................................... 3
TERMS OF REFERENCE ..................................................................... 3
METHODS & DATABASE STRUCTURE ..................................................... 4
2 SHEEP IN AUSTRALIA............................................................................. 5
2.1
2.2
2.3
2.4
2.5
2.6
TRENDS ...................................................................................... 5
SHEEP REGIONS ............................................................................ 5
PRODUCTION SECTORS .................................................................... 8
DISTRIBUTION OF PRODUCTION SECTORS BY REGION ................................. 9
SHEEP & FARM NUMBERS BY PRODUCTION SECTOR ...................................11
IMPACT OF OVINE JOHNE'S DISEASE ...................................................12
3 REGIONAL SHEEP MOVEMENTS ............................................................ 15
3.1
3.2
3.3
DRIVERS OF MOVEMENT ..................................................................15
SHEEP – BEEF RELATIONSHIPS ..........................................................17
REGIONAL PROFILE & TYPICAL PROPERTIES ...........................................18
4 NATIONAL SHEEP MOVEMENTS ............................................................ 53
4.1
4.2
4.3
4.4
4.5
INTRODUCTION.............................................................................53
KEY FACTORS INFLUENCING TURNOFF NUMBERS AND TIMING ........................53
NATIONAL PATTERNS & DRIVERS ........................................................54
MECHANISMS OF MOVEMENT .............................................................54
CONCLUSIONS..............................................................................62
5 REFERENCES......................................................................................... 64
APPENDIX 1 – TOP 140 STUD MERINO RAM DATA .................................... 66
APPENDIX 2 – NATIONAL SHEEP SALEYARD DATA ................................... 69
APPENDIX 3 – LIVE SHEEP EXPORT DATA................................................. 71
APPENDIX 4 – ABATTOIR THROUGHPUT DATA.......................................... 72
APPENDIX 5 - GLOSSARY .......................................................................... 74
Disclaimer - All care has been taken in the preparation of this report. Information from various sources has been
incorporated in the report. Accordingly, we do not express any opinion on the accuracy of this information, nor does this
company accept any responsibility to any other party who may rely on the content of this report.
HASSALL & ASSOCIATES PTY LTD (Inc in NSW). ABN 95 001 211 007
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Structure and Dynamics of the Australian Sheep Industry
List of Tables
Table 1
Table 2
Table 3
Table 4
Table 5
Table 6
Table 7
Table 8
Table 9
Table 10
Table 11
Table 12
Table 13
Table 14
Table 15
Table 16
Table 17
Table 18
Table 19
Table 20
Table 21
Table 22
Table 23
Table 24
Table 25
Table 26
Table 27
Arrangement of data in the National sheep database ................................................ 4
Australian sheep regions ............................................................................................ 6
Distribution of sheep across sheep regions and production sectors ........................ 10
Percentage of sheep properties with cattle by region & production sector ............... 17
Region 3 Average Farm............................................................................................ 20
Region 3 Typical Farm.............................................................................................. 21
Region 6 Average Farm............................................................................................ 23
Region 6 Typical Farm.............................................................................................. 24
Region 7 Average Farm............................................................................................ 26
Region 7 Typical Farm.............................................................................................. 27
Region 8 Average Farm............................................................................................ 29
Region 8 Typical Farm.............................................................................................. 30
Region 9 Average Farm............................................................................................ 32
Region 9 Typical Farm.............................................................................................. 33
Region 10a Average Farm........................................................................................ 35
Region 10a Typical Farm.......................................................................................... 36
Region 10b Average Farm........................................................................................ 38
Region 10b Typical Farm.......................................................................................... 39
Region 11 Average Farm.......................................................................................... 41
Region 11 Typical Farm............................................................................................ 42
Region 12a Average Farm........................................................................................ 44
Region 12a Typical Farm.......................................................................................... 45
Region 12b Average Farm........................................................................................ 47
Region 12b Typical Farm.......................................................................................... 48
Region 124 Average Farm........................................................................................ 50
Region 124 Typical Farm.......................................................................................... 51
Timing of shows and the regions that participate. .................................................... 60
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Structure and Dynamics of the Australian Sheep Industry
List of Figures
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
Figure 4
Figure 5
Figure 6
Figure 7
Figure 8
Figure 9
Figure 10
Figure 11
Figure 12
Figure 13
Figure 14
Figure 15
Figure 16
Figure 17
Figure 18
Sheep Regions ........................................................................................................... 1
Sheep numbers by production sector ......................................................................... 1
Significant patterns of movement ............................................................................... 2
Australian sheep industry trends – 1990 to 2004 ....................................................... 5
Australian sheep regions ............................................................................................ 6
Australian sheep population, proportion by region ..................................................... 7
Distribution of the Australian sheep flock by region .................................................... 7
Australian sheep production sectors, proportion by type ............................................ 9
National sheep & farm numbers by production sector.............................................. 11
Destination of cull & surplus sheep from SRM & SRW sectors across Australia...... 12
Map of Australia showing OJD prevalence areas. .................................................... 13
Sheep numbers, beef numbers and crop areas ....................................................... 16
Merino Studs location by number of rams sold......................................................... 55
Distribution of non merino studs by meat breed ....................................................... 56
Distribution of sheep saleyard centers by throughput............................................... 57
Numbers of live sheep exported by port ................................................................... 58
Live Export Ports and seasonality of exports............................................................ 58
Sheep abattoir location & throughput ....................................................................... 59
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Structure and Dynamics of the Australian Sheep Industry
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Figure 1
Sheep Regions
Expert opinion and available data have been
gathered to identify and map movements of sheep
within and between regions. The prime use of this
data will be by the Office of the Chief Veterinary
Officer (OCVO) within the Australian Government
Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
(DAFF) to model potential disease outbreaks.
124
6
3
5
7
The national sheep flock is currently estimated at
12b
12a
104 million with two thirds of these sheep located in
Regions 9, 10b and 12b as shown in Figure 1.
These three regions have a largely Mediterranean
climate that is favorable for the production of
improved annual pastures and is suitable for
cropping. Around 50% of these sheep properties also run cattle.
10a
9
8
10b
11
Five sheep “experts” from around the nation used ABARE survey data together with their own
knowledge to build a picture of a “typical” sheep farm for each of the 11 sheep regions across
Australia.
The national sheep flock was dissected into five discrete production sectors:
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
Self replacing wool (SRW)
Self replacing meat (SRM)
Wether based (W)
Crossbred, and (XB)
Trading & Other (TO)
Figure 2
Sheep numbers by production sector
TO
12%
XB
3%
W
6%
SRW
Sheep movements in terms of size and timing are driven
54%
primarily by the type of production sector involved. For
SRM
example, 78% of the national flock is involved in self
25%
replacing breeding systems where the only movements
onto those properties will be stud rams and the only
significant movement off the property will be cull for age (CFA) rams and ewes and surplus young
sheep (hoggets or lambs).
Sheep movements are mostly restricted to within a 200km radius from where they were born and
bred. For stud animals this radius of movement might be extended to 500km.
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Structure and Dynamics of the Australian Sheep Industry
Droughts, recovery from droughts and large seasonal differentials will significantly increase the
distances and number of sheep moved compared to a “normal” season. These factors drive the
economics of the sale/purchase so that larger margins cover the increased travel costs. High value
sheep, transport efficiencies and favourable commodity prices will also increase the distance sheep
move.
The geographic distribution of sheep studs, saleyards and live export centers impact on the size
and number of consignments. The decline in the number of sheep studs and abattoirs, the
increasing popularity of sale mechanisms alternate to saleyards (including internet based auctions),
seasonal conditions and favorable prices results in sheep traveling further than they have in the
past.
The key factor influencing the size of sheep movements is economics and with a small profit margin
for most sheep production sectors the distances sheep move will tend to be small. Other factors
driving sheep movements include:
œ
œ
œ
œ
œ
œ
Technology
Flock structure/breeding systems
Disease
Seasons
Commodity price cycles
Droughts and recovery from drought
Mechanisms to facilitate the movement of sheep vary from region to region, however the
dominance of the self replacing production sector means that the location and number of stud rams
sold will be a major mechanism in sheep movement. Other mechanisms include:
œ
œ
œ
œ
œ
Saleyards
Live Export Centres
Abattoirs
Shows
Feedlots
Figure 3
Significant patterns of movement.
The significant patterns of sheep
movement are shown in Figure 3. The
details on the size, timing and drivers of
these movements are discussed in
sections 3 and 4.
124
5
6
3
7
12b
12a
10 a
9
8
10 b
11
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Structure and Dynamics of the Australian Sheep Industry
1 BACKGROUND
1.1
Purpose of the Study
The focus of this study was to gather expert opinion and data where possible to identify and map
geographic regions and production sectors across Australia and to document movements of sheep
within and between regions. The study required sheep movements to be reported in terms of the
number and size of the consignments, the season of movement, the type of source or destination
(saleyard, abattoir, live export etc) and the destination/source regions from/to a “typical farm”. The
prime use of this data will be its use by the OCVO within DAFF to model future disease outbreaks.
1.2 Terms of Reference
The main tasks outlined in the terms of reference were to:
1. Identify and describe all relevant sectors/production systems within the Australian
sheep meat and wool industries and detail their standard operating practices.
2. Identify within each sector any practices that significantly affect between-flock
interactions.
3. Detail the nature of feeding systems/pasture predominant in each production system.
4. Detail the typical size and age structure of flocks in each sector and whether other
animals are typically present on the same property.
5. Detail broad movement patterns of sheep within and between each production
system identified in Task 1.
6. Detail movements onto and off of ‘typical’ properties within each production system
and region identified in Task 1.
7. Identify industry factors that impact on the nature, timing and direction of sheep
movements within each production system
8. Identify key factors (meteorological, environmental, sociological, financial etc) that
affect when production units make animal purchases and sales.
9. Identify key areas of congregation or clustering of sheep as a result of movements
(e.g. Assembly of animals for live export, saleyards and agricultural shows)
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Structure and Dynamics of the Australian Sheep Industry
1.3 Methods & Database Structure
To facilitate the study of the structure and dynamics of the sheep industry, Australia was mapped
into sheep production regions based on aggregated Australian Bureau of Agricultural and
Resource Economics (ABARE) survey regions (see Figure 5, p.6). Statistical data regarding the
composition of sheep production systems within these regions has also been obtained from
ABARE and is included in the central sheep database.
Sheep industry experts, state and territory departments of primary industries, Rural Lands
Protection Board (RLPB) vets, Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA), National sheep stud
associations, saleyard operators, AgForce Queensland as well as individual wool producers, have
been consulted in order to identify sheep movements and the current issues faced by the various
sheep producing regions.
The Microsoft® Office Excel database that was developed to tabulate the sheep movement data
was a single page, flat database to facilitate pivot table and crosstab analysis. It has been provided
separately to the OVCO. It is 12 columns wide and contains 1,145 individual records arranged as
follows in table 1:
Table 1
Arrangement of data in the National sheep database
Database Area
Description of Data
Rows 1 - 80
ABARE National sheep data 2004/05 with sheep flock structure data, number of
properties, numbers of sheep on and off each farm by sheep region and
production sector described in section 3.
Rows 81 - 249
Sheep expert data on what an average Self replacing wool farm would look like in
terms of structure, movement, sales and purchase of individual classes of sheep
by destination/source, feeding systems, agistment issues and proportion of sheep
properties that also ran cattle. This data is replicated for eleven sheep production
regions identified in this study.
Rows 250 - 418
Sheep expert data as above for the Self replacing meat sector.
Rows 419 - 586
Sheep expert data as above for the Wether based sector.
Rows 587 - 761
Sheep expert data as above for the Crossbred sector.
Rows 762 - 936
Sheep expert data as above for a Trading & Other sector.
Rows 937 - 1145
Data checking and summary area. This was constructed to test the integrity and
consistency of the data supplied by the sheep experts and to provide crosstab
summary tables for the report.
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Structure and Dynamics of the Australian Sheep Industry
2 SHEEP IN AUSTRALIA
2.1 Trends
Over the past 15 years, the Australian wool industry has been characterised by low wool returns,
declining sheep numbers, falling wool production and rising lamb returns (Figure 4). This has been
driven by a long-term decrease in raw wool demand and competition from alternative fibres. As a
result, the industry has experienced significant structural adjustment, including a shift from wool
and mutton production towards lamb production. Growing demand for Australian lamb exports
from the US, Europe and Asia has seen the proportion of lamb production exported more than
double since the early 1990’s. This has contributed to increased specialisation, efficiency and
profitability within the sheep industry.
Figure 4
Australian sheep industry trends – 1990 to 2004
130
120
Lamb Production
110
100
Mutton Production
90
80
Sheep Numbers
70
60
Wool Production
50
40
1990
1992
1994
1996
1998
2000
2002
2004
Note: Wool production and sheep number indices are based on financial year data, with base year 1989/90 and Lamb and Mutton
Production Indices are based on calendar year data with base year 1990 = 100%.
Source: ABARE 2005a.
2.2 Sheep Regions
Eleven sheep production regions, based on the ABARE survey regions were identified across
Australia. In order to keep some commonality the regions were defined and named in the same
way as in a similar study of the beef industry (Ausvet 2006).
In some regions there were good sheep husbandry reasons to split the existing regions, (i.e. 10a,
10b, 12a & 12b). In the case of northern Australia, Regions 1, 2 and 4 were aggregated as there
are very few sheep in this region (0.5%). Region 5 was not included in this study as ABARE
reports no commercial sheep numbers in this region. Regions, sheep numbers and their
distribution are presented in Table 2, Figure 5 and Figure 7.
Based on data collected by ABARE in 2004/05, the Australian sheep population is estimated at
104.29 million. The largest three regions by population are the Southern High Rainfall (10b),
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Structure and Dynamics of the Australian Sheep Industry
Eastern Wheat Sheep (9) and the Western Wheat Sheep (12b) – all located in the southern half of
Australia. These three regions combined account for almost two thirds of the national flock.
Table 2
Australian sheep regions
Sheep Region
Sheep Numbers
ABARE survey regions
(2004/05 - Million)
124
Northern tropics
0.44
311, 712, 511, 313, 714
3
Central pastoral
7.40
711, 599, 111, 512, 411, 312
5
Northern high rainfall
0.00
332, 331, 18% 132
6
Northern wheat/sheep
7.11
121, 314, 321, 322
7
Armidale high rainfall
3.40
29% of 131
8
Eastern high rainfall
10.36
71% of 131, 82% of 132, 57% of 231
9
Eastern wheat/sheep
20.31
122, 123, 223
221, 421, 422
10a
Southern wheat/sheep
9.62
10b
Southern high rainfall
21.69
11
Tasmania
2.40
631
12a
Western high rainfall
3.22
531
12b
Western wheat/sheep
18.30
Figure 5
222, 43% of 231, 431
521, 522
Australian sheep regions
124
6
3
5
7
12b
12a
10a
9
8
10b
Refer to Table 2 for Region Names
11
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Structure and Dynamics of the Australian Sheep Industry
Figure 6
Australian sheep population, proportion by region
Region 10b
22%
Region 11
2%
Region 12b
18%
Region 10a
9%
Region 12a
3%
Region 124
0%
Region 3
7%
Region 9
19%
Region 8
10%
Region 6
7%
Region 7
3%
Source: ABARE 2005b.
Figure 7
Distribution of the Australian sheep flock by region
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Structure and Dynamics of the Australian Sheep Industry
2.3 Production Sectors
The Australian sheep industry is characterised by a diverse range of production
sectors. The following definitions were used by ABARE to stratify the national
sheep flock into five production sectors.
A. Self replacing wool (SRW) – exists where sheep purchases represent less than 10%
of the average number of sheep in a flock. This sector breeds its own ewe
replacements with sheep sales comprising surplus young wethers and culls for age
(CFA) sheep. Replacement rams are the only sheep purchase. In more recent times
sheep producers in this sector are increasingly marketing surplus sheep into the more
profitable lamb market.
B. Self replacing meat (SRM) – exists where sheep and lamb receipts are greater than
50% of total receipts. Very similar in structure to the self replacing wool sector with a
reduced focus on wool quality and an emphasis on carcass attributes. This sector
includes the traditional meat sheep breeds such as the White Suffolk, Dorset and
traditional wool flocks finishing surplus sheep as lambs rather than hoggets. In some
cases terminal meat sires might be used over the oldest ewe age group. It also
includes the more recent imports of breeds like the Dorper and Damara that don’t
produce any harvestable wool.
C. Wethers (W) – exists where wethers represent more than 50% of opening and closing
sheep numbers. Replacement wethers are purchased with CFA wethers sold.
D. Cross Bred (XB) – exists where cross bred ewes represent more than 30% of ewes
mated. In this sector the replacement ewes are purchased with all young sheep sold
as lambs. The most common crossbred ewe is the first cross ewe which is usually
the offspring of a Border Leicester ram and a merino ewe. These are usually mated
to a meat ram like the Dorset.
E. Traders and other (TO) – the sheep not belonging to any of the above sectors,
includes sheep feedlots.
In reality few, if any, of the sheep production regions will solely exhibit characteristics of these
“Typical” sectors. This is because an individual sheep producer may run two or even three
different flocks of sheep from the different sectors listed above. As an aid to understanding the
structure and dynamics of the national sheep flock these definitions were used to represent the
“typical” properties found in each region.
By far the largest sheep production sector in Australia is the self replacing wool enterprise. Just
over half of the national flock is in this sector (54%). A further quarter of the flock resides in the
self replacing meat sector.
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Structure and Dynamics of the Australian Sheep Industry
Figure 8
Australian sheep production sectors, proportion by type
TO
12%
XB
3%
W
6%
SRW
54%
SRM
25%
Source: ABARE 2005b.
The remaining quarter is regarded as part of the cross bred, wether-based or trading (and other)
sectors at 6%, 3% and 12% of the national sheep flock sheep respectively.
The implications of the dominance of the self replacing sectors (79% of the national flock)
highlights three issues in relation to future sheep movements.
First, there has been a large shift to finer micron wool produced on larger framed sheep that are
better suited to mutton or live sheep exports. While overall merino wool production has fallen, the
production of 19 micron and finer wool has risen in volume terms over the last 15 years and it has
moved from 5 to 30% of the clip. This may mean less sheep movements between properties as
specialist woolgrowers, although they buy rams, tend to avoid introducing other sheep into the
flocks which they have carefully bred for this specialty purpose.
Second, there has been a reduction in the number of wethers kept beyond two years old (yo)
which were only economical to run when wool prices were high. Reduced wether numbers allow
sheep producers to run more ewes and given reasonable lamb and mutton prices this could mean
larger movements to abattoirs or live shipment points in the future.
Third, there now appears to be a lot more joining of older merino ewes, run by specialist
woolgrowers, to 'terminal sires' including Dorsets, Borders etc, with implications for higher lamb
movements to saleyards and generally from lower to higher rainfall areas.
2.4 Distribution of production sectors by region
The distribution of these production sectors is determined to some extent by environmental factors
that influence the quality of the pastures. For example, sheep production systems that derive the
majority of their income from the production of lamb (SRM & XB) require a productive, high protein
pasture to enable the lambs to reach market weights over a short time frame. Being high rainfall
regions, these wheat/sheep areas more commonly have the right environmental conditions or the
availability of irrigation to produce these pastures and are therefore suitable for the lamb producing
sectors.
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Structure and Dynamics of the Australian Sheep Industry
Eighty-four per cent of the national flock is located in areas that receive more than 350mm of
rainfall per annum (pa). Conversely, the pastoral region of Australia (Region 3) has a very harsh
climate with very low (<350mm) and unreliable rainfall. These environments are not always
suitable for the production of the high quality pastures required to turn off quality prime lambs.
Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) are encouraging producers in these areas to concentrate on
breeding lambs and turning them off at 12-14 weeks for another farm to finish them or to send to a
feedlot. This breeding/finishing system may see greater numbers of lambs move from region 3 to
the wheat/sheep Regions of 9 and 10b for finishing on improved or irrigated pastures. Whilst some
of these movements may involve saleyards, others may be more difficult to monitor as they may
involve shifting sheep to another farm owned by the same producer/group or direct farm to farm
sales.
However, location of a particular production sector usually has more to do with sheep producers
varying the enterprise mix to take advantage of market opportunities or to reduce their exposure to
a particular commodity (i.e. lamb, wool, hogget etc). This is certainly the case in WA where the
right environmental conditions exist to produce high quality pastures but there are no XB flocks
documented by ABARE in either region 12a or 12b. This is because sheep producers have
decided to run SRM flocks which provide the opportunity to market both wool and lamb to suit
market demand.
The distribution of sheep across regions and production sectors is shown in Table 3.
Table 3
Distribution of sheep across sheep regions and production sectors
Sheep Region
No
Name
Production Sector & Numbers of sheep (‘000)
Total
SRW
SRM
W
XB
TO
124
Northern tropics
436
436
0
0
0
0
3
Central pastoral
7,406
4,804
1,589
0
208
804
5
Northern high rainfall
0
0
0
0
0
0
6
Northern wheat/sheep
7,115
4,877
503
0
1,440
296
7
Armidale high rainfall
3,404
2,531
0
0
0
872
8
Eastern high rainfall
10,357
5,519
2,173
973
763
929
9
Eastern wheat/sheep
20,309
9,640
5,252
996
718
3,704
10a
Southern wheat/sheep
9,623
4,344
3,515
0
166
1,598
10b
Southern high rainfall
21,694
9,491
5,832
4,097
0
2,273
11
Tasmania
2,402
1,929
313
51
0
110
12a
Western high rainfall
3,224
1,861
1,103
0
0
259
12b
Western wheat/sheep
18,320
10,861
5,538
0
0
1,922
104,290
56,293
25,818
6,118
3,295
12,766
Totals
SRW = self replacing wool, SRM = self replacing meat, W = wethers, XB = crossbred, TO = trading & other.
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Structure and Dynamics of the Australian Sheep Industry
2.5 Sheep & Farm numbers by production sector
Declining wool prices, declining sheep infrastructure on properties, a lack of labour and low
profitability compared to alternative enterprises have seen the number of properties across
Australia that derive a significant proportion of their income from sheep fall from some 80,000
properties in 1980 to 37,000 in 2004 (ABARE 2004). Aggregation of smaller sheep properties into
larger holdings has been part of this process. Over the same period national sheep numbers have
fallen from a peak of 173 million (1980) to 95 million (2004). High lamb prices have seen some
flock rebuilding in more recent times with the national flock estimated at 104 million in 2005.
ABARE (2006) are not expecting sheep numbers to rebuild significantly in the near future with
forecasts of the national sheep flock reaching 108 million by 2010.
In terms of sheep movement, this means that there are less sheep to move around the country
compared to 20 years ago.
National sheep & farm numbers by production sector
Sheep Numbers (Million)
60
56.3
Sheep Numbers LH axis
30
Farm Number RH axis
50
25
40
20
15
30
25.8
10
20
Farm Numbers ('000)
Figure 9
16.7
12.8
12.2
10
6.1
3.3
5
6.5
2.0
1.4
0
0
Self Replacing
Wool
Self Replacing
Meat
Wethers
CrossBred
Traders and
Others
Production Sector
The destination of surplus and CFA sheep from self replacing sheep systems will vary by region
and the marketing focus (ie wool or meat), however, averages across the SRW and SRM
production sectors for all regions of Australia is shown in Figure 10.
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Structure and Dynamics of the Australian Sheep Industry
Figure 10
Destination of cull & surplus sheep from SRM & SRW sectors across Australia
Property Sales
19%
Live Export
13%
Feedlots
2%
Abbatior
19%
Saleyard
47%
The majority of sheep sold to saleyards will be on-sold to an abattoir or meat processor. Of the 8.5
million sheep sold through NSW saleyards, 7.5 million (88%) are sales to abattoirs. This dissection
of saleyard throughput is not available for other states. However National Livestock Reporting
Service data indicates that 2 of the largest saleyards in WA are selling 50% of sale sheep direct to
abattoirs with the remaining 50% represented by store sales.
2.6 Impact of Ovine Johne's Disease
Ovine Johne's Disease (OJD) is caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium paratuberculosis, which
is predominantly found in the small intestine. The disease is characterised by a thickening of the
intestinal wall, resulting in animals being unable to absorb nutrients effectively. There is no cure
for this wasting disease, with infected animals dying within 3 to 6 months of infection.
Prior to the onset of OJD in Australia, there were no restrictions on sheep movements within, or
between, regions. However, following the initial discovery of OJD in Australia in 1980, sheep
movements between regions have been affected, with restrictions in New South Wales in place
until June 2004. Restrictions have now been replaced by a national system of risk-based trading,
the Assurance Based Credit scheme, whereby purchasers notify the government if they are
planning to introduce sheep to the state. If this introduction is deemed to be risky, the government
may investigate the matter further and may undertake risk mitigation activities, such as vaccination
of the introduced flock, adjacent flocks and lambs from those flocks.
Current restrictions are largely self regulated with the onus on the purchaser to inform the
appropriate RLPB board if high risk sheep are moved into the area. The high prevalence of the
disease in region 8 means that sheep producers from region 6 and 9 are reluctant to agist sheep
into this region or to buy restocker sheep or rams from this region. The same probably applies to
the other regions, however transport costs would be more of a limiting factor than the risk of
acquiring OJD.
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Structure and Dynamics of the Australian Sheep Industry
Figure 11
Map of Australia showing OJD prevalence areas.
Legend
High Prevalence
Medium Prevalence
Low Prevalence
Very Low Prevalence
Source: NSW Department of Primary Industries website.
Dubbo RLPB Vet, Clive Roberts has a rule of thumb in relation to OJD and Footrot, “If you draw a
line east/west and north/south through Dubbo, then the risk of acquiring OJD or footrot is an issue
if you agist into or purchase stud or restocker sheep from the south east sector”. Sheep studs in
OJD areas are probably most affected in terms of sheep movement, as it very important for them
to sell their rams to remain viable. A vaccination program currently underway is reducing some of
the impact OJD has had on sheep moving into and out of districts with a high OJD prevalence in
region 8.
Hassall & Associates Pty Ltd
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Structure and Dynamics of the Australian Sheep Industry
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Structure and Dynamics of the Australian Sheep Industry
3 REGIONAL SHEEP MOVEMENTS
3.1 Drivers of Movement
There are drivers of sheep movement that are common to all sheep regions particularly when
considering movements between regions.
1) Economics – low margin per animal – New South Wales (NSW) Department of
Primary Industries (DPI) (2006) are currently showing a gross margin return (i.e. cash
receipts less cash costs) of around $20 per dry sheep equivalent (DSE) for SRW
production sectors. This means sheep producers often cannot afford to transport
sheep very far for sale, to put sheep on agistment during droughts or to drought feed
them for extended periods. Economics tends to limit the number of consignments and
distances sheep move. High value sheep such as stud animals and prime lambs will
move greater distances than the average sheep.
2) Technology – B-double transport vehicles are more efficient because they can
legally carry 50% more sheep per single prime mover compared to a standard semi
trailer. These vehicles have reduced stock transport costs by some 15% and so may
assist in increasing sheep movements.
3) Flock structure/breeding systems – self replacing systems by their very nature
have fewer movements compared to a crossbred or trading system. Aside from ram
movements, self replacing systems breed their own ewe replacements and only sell
cull or surplus young stock. Crossbred systems need to buy in replacement ewes as
they sell all of the ewe and wether portions as lambs. Trading systems by definition
buy and sell a variety of sheep classes throughout the year.
4) Disease – the risk of acquiring OJD (see section 2.6) or Footrot from sheep agisted
into Region 8, or from stud/store sheep purchased from Region 8 still dampens sheep
movements into adjoining Regions (R9 & R6). Disease is more likely to be a limiting
factor on a local/regional scale as opposed to a national scale.
5) Seasons – agistment – in droughts some sheep are agisted (i.e. moved to another
farm that has available pasture). However low profitability and risk of contracting a
disease significantly limit the proportion of properties that agist sheep, especially
when compared to the cattle industry. Across all regions 75% of sheep properties in
the self replacing production sectors would never agist sheep and in the lower rainfall
areas this proportion increases towards 100%. Seasons, and more importantly a big
differential in seasonal conditions, is likely to increase the number of consignments
and the distance sheep move.
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Structure and Dynamics of the Australian Sheep Industry
6) Commodity price cycles – National data for sheep numbers, beef numbers and
crop areas from ABARE over the period 1900 to 2006 is shown in Figure 12. In
response to cycles in commodity price, and hence the profitability of comparative
enterprises, producers have swapped into or out of sheep, beef and cropping; at
times doubling or halving national statistics. In the years leading up to 1990 the
reserve price scheme held wool prices artificially high and mixed enterprise properties
reduced crop areas and increased sheep numbers by almost 40% on a national
scale. Following the collapse of the reserve price scheme, producers quickly reduced
sheep numbers and expanded their cropping areas.
Sheep numbers, beef numbers and crop areas
ABARE Data - 1900 to 2006
35
200
Sheep Numbers
Beef Numbers
Crop Area
180
25
140
120
20
Sheep Numbers (Mill)
100
Beef Nos (Mill)
15
80
60
10
40
Beef Numbers (Million) & Crop area (Mill Ha)
30
160
Sheep Numbers (Million)
Figure 12
Winter Crop Area (Mill Ha)
5
20
0
0
1902
1912
1922
1932
1942
1952
1962
1972
1982
1992
1999
2004
Producers in the mixed livestock cropping regions (i.e. 9, 10a and 12b) are in the
best position to respond to changes in commodity price cycles as they have the
resources and infrastructure and are in a position to swap from one enterprise to the
other more easily than the high rainfall regions where cropping is not really an option.
It is therefore in the wheat sheep regions where more significant changes in the total
sheep population will occur with cycles in commodity prices.
7) Droughts and recovery from drought – droughts markedly increase sheep
movements mainly in terms of sheep moving off farm for sale to abattoirs. Recovery
from drought will also increase sheep movements as properties restock sheep that
either died or were sold off during the drought. This demand for re-stockers may
spike the price sufficiently where store sheep from Western Australia are sold into the
eastern states. In 2005/06 this may have doubled the number of store sheep moving
from WA to Region 9, from 25,000 to 50,000. (John Knight, manager Wagga Wagga
saleyards pers comm).
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Structure and Dynamics of the Australian Sheep Industry
3.2
Sheep – Beef Relationships
Cattle require much taller pastures to graze efficiently than do sheep. Whilst it is true they are
complimentary in their grazing habits in mixed farming systems, if feed becomes short, producers
will tend to either sell or agist cattle before sheep. This is largely driven by economics due to the
high cost involved with drought feeding cattle. People are probably more willing to accept cattle in
preference to sheep on agistment as the numbers involved are much smaller, they tend not to be
as hard on the pastures and fences don’t have to be of as high a standard.
The proportion of sheep properties that also have beef cattle has been summarized from ABARE
data and presented in Table 4. The following trends are evident:
œ In the high rainfall areas the proportion of properties with cattle increases.
œ Wool producing sectors (SRW & W) have higher proportions of properties with cattle compared
to the meat producing sectors (SRM, XB).
œ In Western Australia, the proportion of sheep properties with cattle is almost half that of the
eastern states’ wheat/sheep and high rainfall regions.
Table 4
No.
Percentage of sheep properties with cattle by region & production sector
Region Description
SRW
Production Sector - % properties with cattle
SRM
W
XB
TO
124
Northern tropics
100
3
Central pastoral
35
25
100
60
6
Northern wheat/sheep
90
91
100
68
7
Armidale high rainfall
96
8
Eastern high rainfall
79
70
21
49
77
9
Eastern wheat/sheep
60
45
25
25
22
10a
Southern wheat/sheep
20
20
30
10b
Southern high rainfall
60
50
70
50
11
Tasmania
70
57
74
94
12a
Western high rainfall
40
20
12b
Western wheat/sheep
20
30
100
100
20
24
73
57
Source: ABARE Data 2004/05.
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Structure and Dynamics of the Australian Sheep Industry
3.3
Regional Profile & Typical Properties
Five sheep ‘experts’ were asked to apply their industry expertise to the analysis of sheep industry
data (ABARE and others) to define typical sheep movements for each sheep production sector and
region in Australia. Each of these experts had over 30 years experience in the sheep industry and
all currently own/manage a sheep flock or have family involvements in sheep. Some also have
sheep stud and sheep processing backgrounds. The experts were;
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Bob Hall
Graham Peart
Jack Langberg
Bob Richardson
Ian McConnell
JRL Hall & Co
GRASS Merino Stud
PIRSA
Ex AWC
QDPI & F
Western Australia
New South Wales
South Australia
Victoria
Queensland
It should be noted that the definitions used to dissect the ABARE data were quite broad and there
are in reality many variations on the five production sectors used in this study. The final data
tables were therefore somewhat “muddied” in trying to dissect the national flock into five discrete
categories. It is for this very reason that expert industry knowledge was used to analyse these
tables to derive “average” and “typical” sheep movements.
"Average farm movements" - The ABARE data was used as a basis for the experts to define the
flock structure of an average farm and the numbers of ewes joined. In some cases this base data
was modified in light of local knowledge in order to more closely reflect longer term movements.
Numbers of sheep sold and purchased were broken down into various sheep classes, assigned to
a season and allocated on a percentage basis to live export, feedlot, saleyard, abattoir or on
property destinations to/from particular regions. The percentages used aimed to profile the
proportion of sheep sold to different destinations across the region. In this way the regional profile
of sheep movements can be estimated by multiplying “average farm” data by the number of
properties.
Due to the regional focus in this table it was not possible to calculate the number of actual
consignments to a particular destination. For example, some SRW properties send sheep to
abattoirs, some to export, some to feedlots etc. and they have usually developed a marketing
strategy to maximize returns from a particular destination. Droughts, commodity price cycles and
disease will all impact on destinations and sources available to individual sheep breeders. The
majority of individual properties would not send sheep to all of the potential turnoff destinations (i.e.
live export, abattoir, saleyard etc).
“Typical farm movements" - These tables represent a summary of expert opinion that shows the
number of animals, number of consignments, season of movement and destination/source region
for movements on/off “typical” properties within each production sector. Whilst it is recognised that
such tightly defined properties may not exist in reality, this table represents the most likely
behaviour of a farm located within each region. The range in flock sizes within a production sector
and a region was calculated from the ABARE data set with average, maximum and minimum flock
sizes at the 90% confidence interval.
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Structure and Dynamics of the Australian Sheep Industry
Region 3 - Central Pastoral
Geography
The Central Pastoral region is the largest sheep producing
region by geographic area (439M ha), covering the majority of
Western Australia, South Australia, the far west of New South
Wales, south-western Queensland and the southern half of the
Northern Territory. The region is largely dominated by arid zone
soils with deep sand dunes. These soils tend to be red in colour
due to their poor leaching ability. There are three deserts in the
region, and thus significant areas have limited grazing opportunities.
7.4 M Sheep
on 1,575 properties
Climate
Rainfall in the Central Pastoral area is generally below 350mm pa and highly variable. As plant
growth is largely determined by available moisture, biomass production can vary by a factor of 10
from year to year. Plant establishment occurs intermittently, perhaps once every five years or
more. Drought is a natural part of this cycle.
Pastures
Most livestock production in the Central Pastoral Region will continue to come from native grasses
and shrubs such as saltbush, although some pasture introduction is possible in favoured areas.
Pasture composition is largely determined by climate but is also altered by grazing pressure and
fire. Pasture grasses are either perennial or ephemeral. Perennial grasses produce seed many
times and are important in providing stable pastoral production, a quick response to small rainfall
events and maintaining ground cover. Ephemeral species grow quickly after rain, set seed and die
in a very short time, producing transient forage that is not always palatable. Over-grazing can
result in the elimination of palatable perennials such as saltbush and a reduction in the seed
reserves of favoured ephemeral species.
Dominant Production Sector
In the region 65 per cent of the flock are utilised in self replacing wool production enterprises. A
further 20 per cent of sheep are part of the wether based enterprises. The Merino is the dominant
breed, with surplus stock sold for meat. Merinos are regularly joined with meat breeds including
Border Leicester, Dorset and Suffolk. Exotic meat breeds, such as Dorper, Damara, Dohne or
SAMM, are becoming more common and may be used solely or crossed with Merino.
Farm Size
There is a large variation in the size of pastoral leases with a range between 3,000 and 500,000
hectares.
Stocking Capacity
The average stocking rate is 0.6 - 2 Dry Sheep Equivalent (DSE)/ha.
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Structure and Dynamics of the Australian Sheep Industry
Current Issues:
œ Drought, low lamb survival rates, difficulty in securing shearers and the high cost of maintaining
assets such as shearing sheds within current OH&S specifications means sheep producers are
looking to hardy meat sheep breeds suited to this environment.
œ In some seasons sheep may be moved or sold to higher rainfall/irrigated farms for finishing.
œ Dorpers and Damaras are increasing in numbers as they are hardy, don’t require shearing or
crutching and are highly fertile, protective mothers.
Table 5
Region 3 Average Farm
TABLE A – AVERAGE FARM
SRW
824
Number of properties
Production Sector – Region 3
SRM
W
XB
402
68
TO
281
Movements Off per “average” farm
Live Export
10.9%
5.8%
36.1%
to region
50/50
10b/12a
50/50
10b/12a
50/50
10b/12a
4.4%
5.2%
50/50
10b/12b
50/50
10b/12b
Feedlots
to region
Saleyard
to region
Abattoir
to region*
71.9%
49.1%
30.9%
100%
33/33/33
12b/10b/9
33/33/33
12b/10b/9
33/33/33
12b/10b/9
33/33/33
12b/10b/9
12.8%
25.1%
23.5%
33/33/33
12b/10b/9
33/33/33
12b/10b/9
33/33/33
12b/10b/9
Property Sales
to region
Total Movements off
4025
14.7%
9.5%
33/33/33
12b/10b/9
33/33/33
12b/10b/9
1853
1143
0
2157
Numbers On per “average” farm
Purchases
from region
38
15
880
10
33/33/33
12b/10b/9
33/33/33
12b/10b/9
33/33/33
12b/10b/9
33/33/33
12b/10b/9
100
3
2
2
100
100
2
2
2
80
Autumn
100
1
2
2
100
100
2
2
2
80
Autumn
Management movements
Feed Pasture only (Prop of properties %)
Lamb muster frequency
Ewe Muster frequency
Ram Muster Frequency
Never seek agistment (Prop of properties %)
Season agistment sought
Region agistment sought
33/33/33
12b/10b/9
33/33/33
12b/10b/9
Note 1: xx/xx = percentage split, yy/yy = regional split. Note 2: Region 6: Northern wheat/sheep, Region 8: Eastern high rainfall,
Region 9: Eastern wheat/sheep, Region 10a: Southern wheat/sheep and Region 10b: Southern high rainfall.
Region Specific Drivers
œ OJD has had little impact on sheep movements due to the vast majority of the region being
classified as having a low to very low prevalence of the disease. Most sales from this region
are to other regions. This is due to the absence of live export ports, abattoirs and saleyards in
the region.
œ Due to the relatively harsh/poor nature of pastures, store lambs may be moved or sold to
another property in region 9,10b or to a feedlot for finishing, particularly in a dry season.
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Structure and Dynamics of the Australian Sheep Industry
Typical Farm management cycle
œ A summer joining with a winter lambing.
œ Weaning in spring with culling of rams, ewes and hoggets.
œ Ram purchases about the same time as weaning.
œ Lambs/weaner sales vary with climate & season bur are usually in spring or autumn.
œ Most of the larger annual ram sales occur in the spring.
œ Shearing tends to be clustered around autumn and spring but can occur at any time.
Table 6
Region 3 Typical Farm
TABLE B - TYPICAL FARM
SRW
Production Sector – Region 3
SRM
W
XB
TO
Numbers (Consignments) Off
Live Export
To Region
Season
422 (1)
78 (1)
275 (1)
50/50
10b/12a
Spr/Sum
50/50
10b/12a
Summer
50/50
10b/12a
Spring
Feedlots
To Region
Season
Saleyard
To Region
Season
3603 (3)
699 (2)
593 (3)
1550 (3)
33/33/33
12b/10b/9
Summer
33/33/33
12b/10b/9
Sum/Aut
33/33/33
12b/10b/9
Spr/Sum/Aut
33/33/33
12b/10b/9
Spr/Sum
Abattoir
To Region
Season
1076 (2)
275 (2)
607 (2)
33/33/33
12b/10b/9
Spring
33/33/33
12b/10b/9
Autumn
33/33/33
12b/10b/9
Spring
1853 (5)
1143 (6)
2157 (5)
Property Sales
To Region
Season
Total Movements off
4025 (4)
Numbers (Consignments) On
Purchases
from Region
Season
38 (1)
15 (1)
880 (2)
510 (2)
33/33/33
12b/10b/9
Summer
33/33/33
12b/10b/9
Spring
33/33/33
12b/10b/9
Spring
33/33/33
12b/10b/9
Summer
3364
Total Sheep/Farm - 30 June #
Average
6035
4939
2876
Max (90% confidence interval)
6745
5249
5476
4132
Min (90% confidence interval)
5324
4629
276
2597
Note 1: (Z) = No of consignments – numbers per consignment may vary, Note 2 - xx/xx = percentage split, yy/yy = regional split
Note 3: Region 9: Eastern wheat/sheep, Region 10a: Southern wheat/sheep and Region 10b: Southern high rainfall.
ABARE Data 2004/2005.
Region Specific Drivers
œ Due to the large size of this region and the cost of transport in relation to the small margin on
sheep, movements out of this region tend to be to the closest region.
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Structure and Dynamics of the Australian Sheep Industry
Region 6 - Northern Wheat/Sheep
Geography
The Northern Wheat/Sheep Region extends from the central
region of NSW up through central Queensland to the area
south of Cape York Peninsula. Flat to undulating topography.
7.1 M Sheep
on 2,196 properties
Climate
On the western side of the Great Divide, the rainfall drops
quickly to an annual median of about 700 mm and then
gradually decreases further. At the same time, average maximum temperatures gradually increase
with increasing distance from the coast. Further to the west the land slowly flattens out to the dry
inland plains, marked by cold nights and warm days. It is in the west where the hottest
temperatures in the state most commonly occur during summer and where the annual median
rainfall drops below 200 mm.
Pastures
In southern Queensland, the presence of dense stands of mulga may be utilised as a feed source
in periods of drought. Mitchell grass is an important pasture species in some parts of the region.
Improved pastures are a valuable source of livestock fodder. Well managed lucerne and mixed
grass/legume pastures will provide similar or greater annual dry matter (DM) production than
forage crops. The pastures within the northern wheat/sheep region are generally high quality and
seasonally reliable.
Dominant Production Sector
The region has an estimated 69 per cent of the flock utilised in self replacing wool production
systems and 20 per cent for wether based production systems. The eastern parts of the Northern
Wheat/Sheep Region in Queensland and New South Wales are the region’s prime lamb production
area, typified by Australasian, British and British-Merino crosses. The dominant breeds for Merino
crosses include Border Leicester, Suffolk, Southdown and Dorset.
Stocking Capacity
Carrying capacity in the region varies, ranging from 2.5 sheep per hectare in the south-eastern
areas down to 0.2 sheep per hectare in the relatively harsh western districts. Stocking rates of 7 12 DSE/ha and above are possible on well managed pastures. In the more temperate areas to the
south, annual lamb marking percentages can be over 100 per cent. However, this rate can fall to
as low as 18 per cent in the western districts of the region.
Farm Size
Sheep and wool producing properties vary in size from 400 to 100,000 hectares.
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Structure and Dynamics of the Australian Sheep Industry
Current Issues
œ The western part of this region is devoted primarily to wool production. Exotic breeds are a
relatively small proportion of the region’s flock but are of increasing importance, particularly in
the Cunnamulla and Mitchell areas.
œ Merino lamb losses to wild dogs can be quite high in this region (around 20-50%). Dorpers &
Damaras are highly protective mothers and losses to wild dogs are much lower in these flocks.
œ Many sheep properties in the northern part of the region are switching to cattle.
Table 7
Region 6 Average Farm
TABLE A – AVERAGE FARM
SRW
1204
Numbers of properties
Production Sector – Region 6
SRM
W
428
453
XB
TO
111
Movements Off per “average” farm
Live Export
to region
Feedlots
to region
Saleyard
to region
Abattoir
to region*
Property Sales
to region
Total Movements off
1.2%
6
71.5%
71.5%
62.9%
6
6
6
6
30.2%
11.5%
6
11.5%
88.5%
6
6
6
15.8%
28.5%
6.9%
6
6
6
1831
519
816
1048
Numbers On per “average” farm
Purchases
from region
13
4
850
6
50/40/10 6/9/7
6
6
6
95
3
4
2
85
Spring
9
95
4
5
2
85
Spring
9
100
2
2
2
100
90
2
2
2
100
Management movements
Feed Pasture only (Prop of properties %)
Lamb muster frequency
Ewe Muster frequency
Ram Muster Frequency
Never seek agistment (Prop of properties %)
Season agistment sought
Region agistment sought
Note 1: xx/xx = percentage split, yy/yy = regional split. Note 2: Region 6: Northern wheat/sheep, Region 7: Armidale high rainfall
and Region 9: Eastern wheat/sheep.
Region specific drivers
œ Auctions Plus (formerly CALM) is selling around 600,000 sheep out of north Queensland
(mainly Region 6) and around 75% are store sales off farm. Gary Dick (Auctions Plus General
Manager) suggests this may be facilitating sheep movement into Regions 8, 9 and 10b.
œ There is still buyer resistance to sheep from Region 8 and 9 due to the high incidence of OJD in
the southern areas. Purchasers are supposed to notify the relevant RLPB that they have
purchased sheep from these areas; however there is some confusion as to what extent this
regulation is policed.
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Structure and Dynamics of the Australian Sheep Industry
Typical Farm Management Cycle
œ
œ
œ
œ
œ
œ
A late autumn joining with a late spring early summer lambing.
Weaning in mid summer at 18 weeks with culling of rams, ewes and hoggets.
Lambs/weaner sales usually occur in the autumn.
Ram purchases about the same time as lamb sales in the autumn.
Most of the larger annual ram sales occur in the spring or autumn.
Shearing tends to be during winter pre-lambing.
Table 8
Region 6 Typical Farm
TABLE B - TYPICAL FARM
SRW
Production Sector – Region 6
SRM
W
XB
TO
Numbers (Consignments) Off
Live Export
To Region
Season
Feedlots
To Region
Season
Saleyard
1239 (3)
126 (2)
290 (2)
To Region
6
6
6
6
Season
Aut/Win
Autumn
Autumn
Aut/Win
Abattoir
217 (2)
393 (3)
409 (3)
188 (3)
6
6
6
6
Aut/Win
Aut/Win
Aut/Win
Aut/Win
To Region
Season
Property Sales
To Region
Season
Total Movements off
375 (1)
860 (3)
222 (1)
6
6
Autumn
Autumn
1831 (6)
519 (5)
816 (5)
1048 (6)
1048 (3)
Numbers (Consignments) On
Purchases
from Region
Season
13 (1)
4 (1)
850 (2)
50/40/10 6/7/9
6
6
6
Autumn
Spring
Autumn
Summer
3640
Total Sheep/Farm - 30 June #
Average
3849
1005
2906
Max (90% confidence interval)
4429
3269
4644
5412
Min (90% confidence interval)
3269
834
1167
1869
Note 1: (Z) = Number of consignments – numbers per consignment may vary, Note 2 - xx/xx = percentage split, yy/yy = regional
split. Note 3: Region 6: Northern wheat/sheep, Region 7: Armidale high rainfall and Region 9: Eastern wheat/sheep. ABARE
Data 2004/2005
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Structure and Dynamics of the Australian Sheep Industry
Region 7 - Armidale High Rainfall Region
Geography
The Armidale High Rainfall region is located west of the
Great Dividing Range and the region stretches from south of
Armidale up to the Queensland border. It is the smallest
region defined for the sheep population study.
3.4 M Sheep
on 1,080 properties
Climate
Due to the region’s elevation, the climate tends to be temperate throughout the year, with rainfall
from 700mm in the western areas up to 1200mm in the east. Elevated areas are very cold in the
winter with severe frosts and occasional snow.
Pastures
Productive, temperate pasture species in this environment are frost and cold tolerant, producing
the bulk of feed during the winter and spring months. Common pasture species in the region
include white clover (Trifolium repens), tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea), perennial ryegrass
(Lolium perenne) and redgrass (Bothriochloa macra). The pasture within this region is highly
productive but very reliant on rainfall timing due to the extreme temperature faced in winter.
Dominant Production Sector
Approximately three quarters (74 per cent) of sheep are utilised for self replacing wool production,
with the balance formed by trading or other use. Poll Dorset, White Suffolk and Border Leister are
the three primary meat breeds used for crossing with ewes in the region. Less than 1 per cent of
the region’s sheep flock is made up by exotic sheep breeds, with the main breeds present being
the SAMM and Dohne. The Damara is also used to some extent in cross breeding.
Farm Size
These properties ranged in size from about 1200 ha on the north east slopes to over 6000 ha on
the western clay soils.
Stocking Capacity
The average stocking rate is 6 - 10 DSE/ha.
Current Issues
œ The presence of Chilean Needle Grass, which is unpalatable to livestock.
œ Increasing resistance of internal parasites to drenches.
œ A movement into more cattle grazing.
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Structure and Dynamics of the Australian Sheep Industry
Table 9
Region 7 Average Farm
TABLE A – AVERAGE FARM
SRW
739
Numbers of properties
Production Sector – Region 7
SRM
W
XB
TO
341
Movements Off per “average” farm
Live Export
to region
Feedlots
to region
Saleyard
to region
Abattoir
to region*
Property Sales
to region
Total Movements off
2.2%
7
62.8%
92.4%
7
7
12.7%
7.6%
7
7
22.2%
7
1316
1091
Numbers On per “average” farm
Purchases
from region
9
503
85/10/5 7/8/9
7
80
7
9
7
100
70
3
3
2
100
Management movements
Feed Pasture only (Prop of properties %)
Lamb muster frequency
Ewe Muster frequency
Ram Muster Frequency
Never seek agistment (Prop of properties %)
Season agistment sought
Region agistment sought
Note 1: xx/xx = percentage split, yy/yy = regional split. Note 2: Region 7: Armidale high rainfall.
Region specific drivers
œ Most sheep from the region are slaughtered in either Wallangarra, just north of the Queensland
border, or Dubbo.
œ Some cross-bred ewes move into the region from the Central West slopes and plains, around
Trangie and Narromine. However, producers are increasingly wary of the threat of OJD despite
there being no formal restrictions on sheep trade in New South Wales.
Hassall & Associates Pty Ltd
Page 26
Structure and Dynamics of the Australian Sheep Industry
Typical Farm Management Cycle
œ
œ
œ
œ
œ
œ
Autumn joining with a spring lambing.
Weaning in summer with culling of rams, ewes and hoggets.
Ram purchases about the same time as weaning (January/February).
Lambs/weaner sales in early winter.
Most of the larger annual ram sales occur in February.
Shearing tends to be in the spring (August/September).
Table 10
Region 7 Typical Farm
TABLE B - TYPICAL FARM
Production Sector – Region 7
SRM
W
XB
SRW
TO
Numbers (Consignments) Off
Live Export
To Region
Season
Feedlots
To Region
Season
Saleyard
822 (2)
To Region
7
7
Spring
Spring
340 (2)
384 (3)
Season
Abattoir
To Region
Season
Property Sales
To Region
Season
Total Movements off
707 (3)
7
7
Spr/Sum
Spr/Sum
154 (2)
7
Spr/Sum
1316 (6)
1091 (6)
9 (1)
503 (3)
Numbers (Consignments) On
Purchases
from Region
Season
85/10/5 7/8/9
7
Summer
Summer
Total Sheep/Farm - 30 June #
Average
3943
3137
Max (90% confidence interval)
4441
4687
Min (90% confidence interval)
3444
1587
Note 1: (Z) = No of consignments – numbers per consignment may vary, Note 2 - xx/xx = percentage split, yy/yy = regional split.
Note 3: Region 7: Armidale high rainfall, Region 8: Eastern high rainfall and Region 9: Eastern wheat/sheep.
ABARE Data 2004/2005.
Hassall & Associates Pty Ltd
Page 27
Structure and Dynamics of the Australian Sheep Industry
Region 8 - Eastern High Rainfall
Geography
The Eastern High Rainfall region stretches in a crescent from
northern New South Wales, through south eastern NSW
including the Southern Tablelands and Snowy Mountains,
down to the outskirts of Melbourne. Landscapes in the region
vary, from the relatively flat areas near the eastern seaboard
to the escarpments of the Tablelands.
10.4 M Sheep
on 4,103 properties
Climate
Climate varies dramatically from frost free, high rainfall coastal plains to the snow covered peaks of
Mt Kosiosko (2,280m). Rainfall varies from 600mm pa on the southern slopes to over 2000mm on
the north coast.
Vegetation
Pastures range from productive, temperate pasture species which are frost and cold tolerant to a
range of species adapted to the high rainfall environments including Kikuyu and Phalaris. In non
agricultural areas vegetation is very diverse and extends to dry forests (such as Turpentine),
heaths and moist forests located in valleys.
Dominant Production Sector
The dominant production system is self replacing wool production, at 53 per cent of sheep, with
self replacing meat production systems also prominent at 20 per cent of the population. The
dominant wool producing sheep breed is the merino. Increasingly, merinos are being joined with
meat breeds as a result of the current high lamb prices and continuing low wool prices. Merinos
are largely crossed with traditional meat breeds including Poll Dorset, White Suffolk, and to a
lesser extent Border Leister, Dohne and SAMM.
Farm Size
Farm size varies from a few hectares on the densely populated coastal areas to around 2,000ha
on the southern slopes and Tablelands.
Stocking Capacity
The average stocking rate is 4 - 8 DSE/ha.
Current Issues
œ The high incidence of OJD in the region.
œ Degradation of pastures by Serrated Tussock in the southern parts of the region.
œ Sheep studs are investing in vaccination programs for OJD to try and maintain sales of stud
stock to other regions.
Hassall & Associates Pty Ltd
Page 28
Structure and Dynamics of the Australian Sheep Industry
Table 11
Region 8 Average Farm
TABLE A – AVERAGE FARM
SRW
1925
Numbers of properties
Production Sector – Region 8
SRM
W
XB
1061
495
303
TO
319
Movements Off per “average” farm
Live Export
to region
Feedlots
to region
Saleyard
to region
Abattoir
to region*
Property Sales
to region
Total Movements off
505
340
140
8
8
50/50 8/9
204
138
214
1923
1907
50/50 8/9
50/50 9/10b
50/50 9/10b
50/50 9/10b
50/50 9/10b
200
185
291
1365
350
50/25/25
8/9/10b
8
50/50 9/10b
50/50 9/10b
50/25/25
8/9/10b
909
663
644
3288
2257
Numbers On per “average” farm
Purchases
from region
8
5
700
564
608
8
60/20/20
8/9/10b
60/20/20
8/9/10b
50/50 8/9
50/50 8/9
80
4
4
3
95
Winter
8
70
100
2
3
3
100
100
5
5
5
95
Autumn
8
50
5
5
5
100
Management movements
Feed Pasture only (Prop of properties %)
Lamb muster frequency
Ewe Muster frequency
Ram Muster Frequency
Never seek agistment (Prop of properties %)
Season agistment sought
Region agistment sought
70
Autumn
8
Note 1: xx/xx = percentage split, yy/yy = regional split. Note 2: Region 8: Eastern high rainfall, Region 9: Eastern wheat/sheep
and Region 10b: Southern wheat/sheep.
Region specific drivers
œ Footrot in the region means that there is buyer resistance outside this region. Producers in
nearby regions fear that they might bring footrot onto their properties if they buy stud/store
sheep from these regions or agist their own sheep into this region.
œ Given the relatively high mutton prices, the majority of producers send their stock to the
Southern Meats Abattoirs (Harden) and others in the region for slaughter.
œ Sheep movements out of and into the region remain affected by OJD.
Hassall & Associates Pty Ltd
Page 29
Structure and Dynamics of the Australian Sheep Industry
Typical Farm Management Cycle
œ A summer joining with an autumn/winter lambing.
œ Weaning in early summer with culling of rams, ewes and hoggets.
œ Ram purchases prior to joining in for meat sires but in spring for fine wool rams.
œ Lambs/weaner sales usually in spring, but some in autumn in poor seasons.
œ Most of the larger fine wool annual ram sales occur in the spring.
œ Shearing in early summer to avoid grass seed contamination of the fine wool.
Table 12
Region 8 Typical Farm
TABLE B - TYPICAL FARM
Production Sector – Region 8
SRM
W
XB
SRW
TO
Numbers (Consignments) Off
Live Export
To Region
Season
Feedlots
To Region
Season
Saleyard
420 (2)
527 (2)
140 (2)
To Region
8
8
50/50 8/9
Summer
Summer
Season
Abattoir
To Region
Season
Property Sales
To Region
Season
209 (1)
136 (2)
213 (2)
2188 (3)
1147 (2)
50/50 8/9
50/50 9/10b
50/50 9/10b
50/50 9/10b
50/50 9/10b
Summer
Summer
Sum/Aut
Summer
Summer
280 (2)
291 (1)
1100 (1)
1110 (1)
8
50/50 9/10b
Sum/Aut
50/25/25
8/9/10b
Summer
50/25/25
8/9/10b
Summer
644 (5)
3288 (4)
2257 (3)
Summer
Total Movements off
909 (5)
663 (4)
Numbers (Consignments) On
Purchases
from Region
Season
Total Sheep/Farm - 30 June
Average
8 (1)
5 (1)
700 (1)
564 (3)
608 (3)
8
60/20/20
8/9/10b
Summer
50/50 8/9
50/50 8/9
Autumn
60/20/20
8/9/10b
Summer
Summer
Spr/Sum
#
3575
2836
4375
1570
3058
Max (90% confidence interval)
5092
4190
7128
2041
3975
Min (90% confidence interval)
1482
2085
1623
1099
2140
Note 1: (Z) = No of consignments – numbers per consignment may vary, Note 2 - xx/xx = percentage split, yy/yy = regional split.
Note 3: Region 8: Eastern high rainfall, Region 9: Eastern wheat/sheep and Region 10b: Southern wheat/sheep.
ABARE Data 2004/2005.
Region specific drivers
œ The major driver for movement here is the presence of OJD & footrot which confine the majority
of sales within the region. Most other sales are dominated by proximity to the region, however,
sales to abattoirs and other properties will occur where there is a marketing advantage and/or
evidence that OJD/footrot is not a problem on a specific farm.
Hassall & Associates Pty Ltd
Page 30
Structure and Dynamics of the Australian Sheep Industry
Region 9 - Eastern Wheat/Sheep
Geography
The Eastern Wheat/Sheep region occupies much of central New
South Wales and extends south, into central Victoria.
Specifically, the region incorporates the Murrumbidgee, Central
West and Central Macquarie in NSW, and the eastern Murray
region around the NSW and Victorian border.
20.3 M Sheep
on 9,347 properties
Climate
On the western slopes the rainfall gradually decreases from 950mm pa on the upper slopes to
350mm pa on the western border. The frequency of winter snowfalls also decreases from east to
west. Average maximum temperatures gradually increase as height above sea level decreases.
Further to the west the land slowly flattens out into the dry inland plains, marked by cold nights and
warm days.
Vegetation
A wide range of annual pastures and winter/summer crops are produced on irrigated and dryland
properties across the region. Annual pastures include lucerne, phalaris, sub clover and white
clover while wheat, oats, barley and canola are common winter crops that mixed sheep/cropping
properties would produce. Native vegetation in the region varies considerably. Common species
include Box, Gum and Grey Box, however, the area incorporates several landscapes including
native grasslands, alpine herb fields, wet forests and woodlands. The Central West and Macquarie
are characterised by Coolabah, Black Box, River Red Gum and Bimble Box woodlands, as well as
Mitchell grass and wire grass. Red gums are also prevalent in the eastern Murray area.
Dominant Production Sector
Self replacing wool and meat production systems dominate at 47 per cent and 26 per cent of the
sheep population respectively. A further 18 per cent of sheep are utilised for trading or other
production purposes. Exotic meat breeds such as Damara and Dorper are becoming of increasing
importance in the region. Increasingly, merino ewes are being crossed with meat breeds due to
prevailing lower wool prices. It is estimated that, currently, close to 50 per cent of ewes are joined
with meat breed rams.
Stocking Capacity
The average stocking rate is 3 - 7 DSE/ha.
Current Issues
œ More Merino ewes are being crossed with meat breeds.
œ Although there has been a trend to increased percentages of merino ewes joined to meat rams,
recent surveys (MLA 2005) suggest this is stabilized and in the 2005 lamb survey 64% of
merino ewes were joined to merino rams.
œ Meat breeds such as the Dorper & Damara are increasing in importance.
Hassall & Associates Pty Ltd
Page 31
Structure and Dynamics of the Australian Sheep Industry
Table 13
Region 9 Average Farm
TABLE A – AVERAGE FARM
SRW
3228
Numbers of properties
Production Sector – Region 9
SRM
W
XB
2816
271
893
TO
2229
Movements Off per “average” farm
Live Export
to region
Feedlots
to region
Saleyard
to region
Abattoir
to region*
Property Sales
to region
Total Movements off
4.4%
5.4%
9
9
45.4%
54.9%
69.9%
39.5%
9
9
9
9
9
20.8%
28.9%
28.0%
60.5%
46.6%
9
80/20 9/10b
9
9
29.4%
10.8%
2.1%
48.4%
9
5.0%
9
9
9
1357
957
708
818
1193
9
10
7
700
194
5
9
9
9
9
9
85%
5
6
5
90%
Autumn
6
75%
7
7
5
90%
Autumn
6
100%
3
3
3
100%
-
80%
4
5
2
95%
Autumn
6
60%
4
3
2
100%
Numbers On per “average” farm
Purchases
from region
Management movements
Feed Pasture only (Prop of properties %)
Lamb muster frequency
Ewe Muster frequency
Ram Muster Frequency
Never seek agistment (Prop of properties %)
Season agistment sought
Region agistment sought
Note 1: xx/xx = percentage split, yy/yy = regional split. Note 2: Region 6: Northern wheat/sheet, Region 9: Eastern wheat/sheep
and Region 10b: Southern high rainfall.
Region specific drivers
œ OJD still dampens movement of sheep in the region even with restrictions removed in 2004.
Risk of OJD infection limits purchases from and agistment into region 8.
œ Agistment to region 8 is also limited by the fact that sheep properties in region 8 are generally
high input, high stocking rate, smaller grazing systems that don’t often have spare feed
available to take on agistment.
œ This region lies in NSW where on average 88% of sales to saleyards are to slaughter and for
the two major centres (Dubbo & Wagga Wagga) there are no store sales. The major store
sheep selling centres in the region would be Narromine in the north and Jerilderie in the south.
œ Of the sheep sales through the Dubbo saleyard that are not for slaughter (mainly re-stockers)
80% would tend to move north and west within a 200km radius of the saleyard. Most of these
sales would stay within the region, maybe 30% into the bottom tip of region 6.
œ Of the sheep sales through the Wagga Wagga saleyard that are not for slaughter (mainly restockers) 85% would tend to move from the west to the east within a 200km radius of the
saleyard. This may move some sheep into Region 8.
Hassall & Associates Pty Ltd
Page 32
Structure and Dynamics of the Australian Sheep Industry
œ The National Merino Sheep Show and Export Ram Sale is held in Dubbo every August. This is
a national event that attracts entries from right across Australia.
œ During periods of recovery from drought or when strong seasonal differences exist between the
eastern and western states, a spike in the price of store sheep might see up to 50,000 restocker sheep move from WA (R12a + R12b) to region 9 for sale in saleyards. (John Knight
pers comm. Wagga Wagga Saleyards).
Typical Farm Management Cycle
œ A summer joining with a winter lambing.
œ Weaning in spring with culling of rams, ewes and hoggets.
œ Ram purchases about the same time as weaning.
œ Lambs/weaner sales vary with climate & season and are usually in spring or autumn.
œ Most of the larger annual ram sales occur in the spring.
œ Shearing tends to be clustered around autumn and spring but can occur at any time.
Table 14
Region 9 Typical Farm
TABLE B - TYPICAL FARM
Production Sector – Region 9
SRM
W
XB
SRW
TO
Numbers (Consignments) Off
Live Export
To Region
Season
Feedlots
To Region
Season
Saleyard
647 (2)
62 (1)
130 (1)
279 (2)
To Region
9
9
9
9
9
Spr/Sum
Spring
Spring
Spr/Sum
Spring
695 (4)
Season
Abattoir
To Region
Season
Property Sales
To Region
Season
Total Movements off
498 (2)
675 (3)
895 (4)
578 (4)
539 (3)
80/20 9/10b
9
9
9
9
Spr/Sum
Spr/Sum
Spr/Sum
Spr/Sum
Spr/Sum
1357 (6)
957 (5)
708 (5)
818 (5)
1193 (6)
10 (1)
7 (1)
700 (1)
194 (2)
5 (1)
9
9
9
9
9
Spring
Spring
Spring
Spring
Spring
35 (1)
9
Spring
Numbers (Consignments) On
Purchases
from Region
Season
Total Sheep/Farm - 30 June #
Average
3,126
1,794
3,333
1,380
2,263
Max (90% confidence interval)
3,487
1,922
4,646
3,602
2,596
Min (90% confidence interval)
2,765
1,665
2,019
843
1,930
Note 1: (Z) = No of consignments – numbers per consignment may vary, Note 2 - xx/xx = percentage split, yy/yy = regional split.
Note 3: Region 9: Eastern wheat/sheep and Region 10b: Southern high rainfall.
ABARE Data 2004/2005.
Hassall & Associates Pty Ltd
Page 33
Structure and Dynamics of the Australian Sheep Industry
Region 10a - Southern Wheat/Sheep
Geography
The Southern Wheat/Sheep region extends from north-western
Victoria into South Australia, to the Eyre Peninsula. The area
west of the South Australian-Victorian border is characterised by
dune ridges with intervening flats, creating seasonal freshwater
lakes and swamps. Sporadic volcanic hills and granite outcrops
are also features of the landscape.
9.6 M Sheep
on 5,636 properties
Climate
Median annual rainfall ranges from 275 to 600 mm pa. The climate of South Australia varies from
hot and dry in the interior to the milder and wetter climates of the southern Mount Lofty Ranges
and the southeast coast of South Australia and southern Victoria.
Pastures
Increased use of superphosphate and medic pastures in the Eyre Peninsula since the 1950’s has
resulted in improved soil fertility and pasture productivity. The pastures within this region are high
quality and very productive.
Dominant Production Sector
Around 47 per cent of the flock are utilised in self replacing wool production systems, with a further
37 per cent used in self replacing meat production systems. There are very few exotic sheep in
the region, with no commercial exotic sheep flocks. Merinos in the region tend to be crossed with
Dorset and White Suffolk.
Farm Size
The farm holdings range from only 160 hectares to about 2300 hectares.
Stocking Capacity
The average stocking rate is 7 - 12 DSE/ha.
Current Issues
œ Alternative enterprises such as cropping and cattle production are much more profitable than
sheep. Consequently, producers in this mixed cropping/livestock region are shifting their
enterprise mix from sheep into mixed farming and intensive cropping.
œ Increasing worm resistance.
Hassall & Associates Pty Ltd
Page 34
Structure and Dynamics of the Australian Sheep Industry
Table 15
Region 10a Average Farm
TABLE A – AVERAGE FARM
SRW
1749
Numbers of properties
Production Sector – Region 10a
SRM
W
XB
2769
75
TO
1043
Movements Off per “average” farm
Live Export
to region
Feedlots
to region
Saleyard
to region
Abattoir
to region*
Property Sales
to region
Total Movements off
7.7%
5.3%
60%
10b
10b
10b
5.1%
4.9%
10a
10a
51.9%
56.2%
37.7%
10b
4.5%
10a
20.0%
34.7%
50/50 10a/10b
10a
10a
10a
20.0%
28.7%
20.0%
23.1%
10a
10a
10b
10a
15.3%
4.9%
10a
10a
980
636
990
1195
Numbers On per “average” farm
Purchases
from region
13
5
1000
306
10a
10a
10a
10a
80
3
3
3
70
Autumn
10b
80
3
3
2
70
Autumn
10b
100
2
3
3
100
80
3
3
3
80
Autumn
10a
Management movements
Feed Pasture only (Prop of properties %)
Lamb muster frequency
Ewe Muster frequency
Ram Muster Frequency
Never seek agistment (Prop of properties %)
Season agistment sought
Region agistment sought
Note 1: xx/xx = percentage split, yy/yy = regional split. Note 2: Region 10a: Southern wheat/sheep and Region 10b: Southern
high rainfall.
Region specific drivers
œ There is very little movement of sheep to other regions and this is restricted to the movement of
stud stock for breeding purposes.
œ The live export of wethers out of this region is significant.
Hassall & Associates Pty Ltd
Page 35
Structure and Dynamics of the Australian Sheep Industry
Typical Farm Management Cycle
œ
œ
œ
œ
œ
œ
A summer joining with an autumn/winter lambing.
Weaning in spring with culling of rams, ewes and hoggets.
Ram purchases at weaning (in the spring).
Lambs/weaner sales usually in spring but some in autumn in poor seasons.
Most of the larger fine wool annual ram sales occur in the spring.
Shearing in winter to early spring.
Table 16
Region 10a Typical Farm
TABLE B - TYPICAL FARM
Production Sector – Region 10a
SRM
W
XB
SRW
TO
Numbers (Consignments) Off
Live Export
To Region
Season
118 (2)
792 (1)
10b
10b
Win/Spr
Winter
Feedlots
To Region
Season
Saleyard
588 (2)
179 (2)
To Region
50/50 10a/10b
10a
10a
Spring
Spring
Spring
449 (2)
457 (3)
198 (2)
10a
10a
10b
10a
Spr/Sum
Spring
Winter
Spr/Sum/Aut
980 (6)
636 (5)
990 (3)
1195 (5)
306 (2)
Season
Abattoir
To Region
Season
913 (2)
571 (3)
Property Sales
To Region
Season
Total Movements off
Numbers (Consignments) On
Purchases
from Region
Season
13 (1)
5 (1)
1000 (2)
50/50 10a/10b
50/50 10a/10b
10b
10a
Summer
Spring
Spring
Spring
1824
Total Sheep/Farm - 30 June #
Average
2106
1286
2712
Max (90% confidence interval)
2528
1411
4643
2084
Min (90% confidence interval)
1684
1162
782
1565
Note 1: (Z) = No of consignments – numbers per consignment may vary, Note 2 - xx/xx = percentage split, yy/yy = regional split.
Note 3: Region 10a: Southern wheat/sheep and Region 10b: Southern high rainfall.
ABARE Data 2004/2005.
Hassall & Associates Pty Ltd
Page 36
Structure and Dynamics of the Australian Sheep Industry
Region 10b - Southern High Rainfall
Geography
The Southern High Rainfall region extends west from the
Victorian Midlands, across the South Australian-Victorian
border, and east to Kangaroo Island. The Victorian Midlands
is characterised by undulating terrain with areas of woodland
on relatively poor soils. The Grampians National Park is
located in the east of the region, as are the goldfields.
21.7 M Sheep
on 7,513 properties
Climate
The coastal strip south of the ranges is generally wetter except in the far east where the Strezlecki
Ranges shelter eastern regions from the moisture laden south westerly winds. The probability of
early autumn and late spring rains is considerably higher than north of the divide.
Pastures
Pastures in the Southern High Rainfall region are typically perennial ryegrass and subterranean
clover whereas perennial grasses and white clover dominate in the Gippsland. These productive
pastures rely heavily on the seasonal rainfall to maximise growth throughout the year.
Dominant Production Sector
A large number of sheep, 44 per cent, are utilised in self replacing wool production systems. This
production is predominantly fine wool. Another 27 per cent are utilised in self replacing meat
production systems. With 19 per cent of sheep also found in cross bred production systems, this
region has by far the largest number of sheep in cross bred production systems. The majority of
merino cross-breeding is undertaken with Dorsets and White Suffolks. The majority of the flock
tends to be bred in the region, however, some ewe purchases are made from southern New South
Wales and pastoral South Australia.
Stocking Capacity
The average carrying capacity is 4 - 6 DSE/ha.
Current Issues
œ Increasing worm resistance amongst the flock.
œ Competition for land (arising from sub-division for hobby properties).
œ Moves to alternative enterprises such as tree crops and cattle.
Hassall & Associates Pty Ltd
Page 37
Structure and Dynamics of the Australian Sheep Industry
Table 17
Region 10b Average Farm
TABLE A – AVERAGE FARM
SRW
3274
Numbers of properties
Production Sector – Region 10b
SRM
W
XB
2347
702
TO
1190
Movements Off per “average” farm
Live Export
to region
Feedlots
to region
Saleyard
to region
Abattoir
to region*
Property Sales
to region
Total Movements off
6.5%
5.8%
10b
10b
4.3%
5.2%
8.7%
10b
10b
10b
10b
63.7%
54.4%
45.5%
29.7%
7.6%
10b
10b
10b
10b
14.1%
30.0%
45.7%
57.9%
10b
10b
10b
11.5%
4.5%
10b
4.9%
10b
10b
1205
1335
3435
1545
10b
Numbers On per “average” farm
Purchases
from region
18
8
615
407
50/50 10a/10b
50/50 10a/10b
10b
10a
70
4
4
3
65
Winter
10b
50
4
4
2
60
Autumn
10b
60
4
4
3
90
Autumn
10b
60
4
3
3
70
Autumn
10b
Management movements
Feed Pasture only (Prop of properties %)
Lamb muster frequency
Ewe Muster frequency
Ram Muster Frequency
Never seek agistment (Prop of properties %)
Season agistment sought
Region agistment sought
Note 1: xx/xx = percentage split, yy/yy = regional split. Note 2: Region 10a: Southern wheat/sheep and Region 10b: Southern
high rainfall.
Region specific drivers
œ The majority of the flock tends to be bred in the region, however, some ewe purchases are
made from southern New South Wales (region 9) and pastoral South Australia (10a).
œ Movement of sheep into the region is limited due to the presence of footrot.
Hassall & Associates Pty Ltd
Page 38
Structure and Dynamics of the Australian Sheep Industry
Typical Farm Management Cycle
œ A summer joining with an autumn/winter lambing.
œ Weaning in spring with culling of rams, ewes and hoggets.
œ Ram purchases at weaning (in the spring).
œ Lambs/weaner sales usually in spring through to autumn.
œ Most of the larger fine wool annual ram sales occur in the spring.
œ Shearing tends to be around autumn and spring but can occur at any time.
Table 18
Region 10b Typical Farm
TABLE B - TYPICAL FARM
Production Sector – Region 10b
SRM
W
XB
SRW
TO
Numbers (Consignments) Off
Live Export
To Region
157 (1)
60 (1)
10b
10b
Summer
Winter
Saleyard
599 (2)
558 (2)
2147 (3)
To Region
10b
10b
10b
10b
Spring
Win/Spr
Spr/Sum
Spr/Sum
499 (2)
717 (2)
1288 (2)
638 (2)
10b
10b
10b
10b
Spr/Sum/Aut
All year
Aut/Spr
Sum/Aut
1205 (5)
1335 (5)
3435 (5)
1545 (5)
407 (2)
Season
Feedlots
To Region
Season
Season
Abattoir
To Region
Season
907 (3)
Property Sales
To Region
Season
Total Movements off
Numbers (Consignments) On
Purchases
from Region
Season
18 (1)
8 (1)
615 (2)
50/50 10a/10b
50/50 10a/10b
10b
10a
Summer
Spring
Summer
Spring
Total Sheep/Farm - 30 June #
Average
3130
2725
5038
3404
Max (90% confidence interval)
3404
3047
10522
4727
Min (90% confidence interval)
2856
2402
447
2081
Note 1: (Z) = No of consignments – numbers per consignment may vary, Note 2 - xx/xx = percentage split, yy/yy = regional split.
Note 3: Region 10a: Southern wheat/sheep and Region 10b: Southern high rainfall. ABARE Data 2004/2005.
Hassall & Associates Pty Ltd
Page 39
Structure and Dynamics of the Australian Sheep Industry
Region 11 - Tasmania
Geography
Tasmania is the most mountainous Australian state.
The
Midlands, located between the Central Plateau sloping south-east
and the mountains of the north-east corner of the state, is a highly
productive agricultural area. Sheep are the most prevalent
livestock in Tasmania with a majority of the flock located in the
eastern half of the state (in particular, the Oatlands area).
However, an estimated 20 per cent are located on the north-west
coast and Bass Strait islands.
3.2 M Sheep
on 797 properties
Climate
Tasmania enjoys for the most part a 'temperate maritime' climate. The sea, never more than
115km distant, suppresses temperature extremes. The prevailing westerly airstream leads to a
marked variation of cloudiness, rainfall and temperature. The result is that the West Coast and
highlands are cool, wet and cloudy and the East Coast and lowlands are milder, drier and sunnier.
Pastures
Approximately half of the region’s fine wool flock is grazed on native grasslands as this is lighter
feed which facilitates the production of finer wool. Common native pasture species in the region
include kangaroo grass and tussock grass.
Dominant Production Sector
In this region the self replacing wool enterprises are the dominant production system at 80 per cent
of the sheep population. A further 13 per cent are utilised in self replacing meat production
enterprises. Wool producing breeds tend to be run in those areas of the state where rainfall is
below 700mm. The wool production flock structures have changed over time as the demand for
finer-wool breeds has increased. As a result, the Merino is the dominant sheep breed in
Tasmania. Tasmanian wool thus tends to be approximately one micron finer than wool from the
rest of Australia. Coupled with the fact that the wool tends to be relatively free from vegetable
matter, Tasmanian superfine merino wool regularly achieves some of the highest prices in the
world. The region also has a small flock of specialty carpet breeds, however flock numbers are
declining due to competition from cheap imports.
Farm Size
The average sheep and wool producing farm size ranges from 100 ha to 700 ha.
Stocking Capacity
The average stocking rate is 7 - 11 DSE/ha.
Hassall & Associates Pty Ltd
Page 40
Structure and Dynamics of the Australian Sheep Industry
Table 19
Region 11 Average Farm
TABLE A – AVERAGE FARM
SRW
286
Numbers of properties
Production Sector – Region 11
SRM
W
XB
101
370
TO
40
Movements Off per “average” farm
Live Export
to region
Feedlots
to region
Saleyard
to region
Abattoir
to region*
Property Sales
to region
Total Movements off
6.2%
10b
61.7%
47.0%
55.7%
57.2%
11
11
90/10 11/10b
90/10 11/10b
38.3%
46.7%
44.3%
42.8%
11
11
90/10 11/10b
11
2638
1505
621
2803
20
10
2
605
11
11
11
11
70
4
5
5
70
Autumn
11
70
5
6
6
70
Autumn
11
50
5
6
6
100
60
5
6
6
70
Autumn
11
Numbers On per “average” farm
Purchases
from region
Management movements
Feed Pasture only (Prop of properties %)
Lamb muster frequency
Ewe Muster frequency
Ram Muster Frequency
Never seek agistment (Prop of properties %)
Season agistment sought
Region agistment sought
Note 1: xx/xx = percentage split, yy/yy = regional split. Note 2: Region 10b: Southern high rainfall and Region 11: Tasmania.
Region specific drivers
œ Store lambs are sold into Region 10b to finish on improved pastures under centre pivot
irrigators or on cereal stubbles. Prime lambs go direct to abattoirs.
œ On average one third of Tasmania’s lamb drop (approximately 250,000 head) move to the
mainland (R10b) for either processing or finishing. This movement has been historically driven
by a lack of processing capacity in Tasmania. However, recent increases in capacity may
reduce total lamb movement in the future.
œ A small number of lambs are also transported to Tasmania from the Australian mainland for
fattening. In 2005/2006 there was a consignment of 5,000 head but around 500 may be a more
long term average. These are very much opportunistic movements designed to take advantage
of good seasonal or market conditions.
œ Variations in the poppy growing contract areas also influence lamb numbers going north. This
year the area of poppy contracts fell and producers are putting in improved pastures under the
pivot irrigators to finish lambs rather than transporting them to the mainland. This situation will
reverse in years where the areas of poppy contracts are larger than normal.
Hassall & Associates Pty Ltd
Page 41
Structure and Dynamics of the Australian Sheep Industry
Typical Farm Management Cycle
œ
œ
œ
œ
œ
œ
A summer joining with an autumn/winter lambing.
Weaning in early summer with culling of rams, ewes and hoggets.
Ram purchases prior to joining in for meat sires, but in spring for fine wool rams.
Lambs/weaner sales usually in spring but some in autumn in poor seasons.
Most of the larger fine wool annual ram sales occur in the spring.
Shearing in early summer to avoid grass seed contamination of the fine wool.
Table 20
Region 11 Typical Farm
TABLE B - TYPICAL FARM
Production Sector – Region 11
SRM
W
XB
SRW
TO
Numbers (Consignments) Off
Live Export
To Region
Season
Feedlots
To Region
Season
Saleyard
1310 (2)
755 (2)
346 (2)
1603 (3)
To Region
11
11
90/10 11/10b
90/10 11/10b
Summer
Summer
Summer
Summer
1328 (2)
750 (2)
275 (2)
1200 (2)
11
11
90/10 11/10b
11
Summer
Summer
Sum/Aut
Sum/Aut/Win
2638 (4)
1505 (4)
621 (4)
2803 (5)
20 (1)
10 (1)
2 (1)
605 (3)
11
11
11
11
Summer
Spring
Sum/Aut
Sum/Aut
3843
Season
Abattoir
To Region
Season
Property Sales
To Region
Season
Total Movements off
Numbers (Consignments) On
Purchases
from Region
Season
Total Sheep/Farm - 30 June #
Average
7411
4042
679
Max (90% confidence interval)
8044
4719
1069
5154
Min (90% confidence interval)
6778
3364
288
2533
Note 1: (Z) = No. of consignments – numbers/consignment may vary, Note 2 - xx/xx = percentage split, yy/yy = regional split.
Note 3: Region 10b: Southern high rainfall and Region 11: Tasmania. ABARE Data 2004/2005.
Hassall & Associates Pty Ltd
Page 42
Structure and Dynamics of the Australian Sheep Industry
Region 12a - Western High Rainfall
Geography
The Western High Rainfall region follows the coast of the
south-most western tip of Western Australia.
3.2 M Sheep
on 835 properties
Climate
Australia’s south west enjoys a mild Mediterranean climate
with a cool wet winter and a warm dry summer. Winter (June to
August) daytime temperatures average about 16 degrees while
summer (December to February) averages a comfortable 27 degrees. As a general rule, the further
south, the cooler the temperature.
Pastures
The coastal plains are dominated by heathlands and shrublands that support hundreds of plant
species per square kilometre. Growing perennials to mitigate dryland salinity is a challenge that
Western Australian farmers currently face. There are also many farmers that use lucerne-based
pastures in their grazing systems.
Dominant Production Sector
In this region 59 per cent of the flock are used in the self-replacing wool production system. A
further 30 per cent are utilised in the self-replacing meat sheep production system. The population
density in this region is one of the highest, given that it has the third highest sheep population and
one of the smallest land areas. The presence of exotic sheep breeds in the region is limited to
hobby properties. It is unlikely that this will develop further in the future, due to the suitability of
more traditional breeds to the region’s climate. Merinos are the general base of the region’s flock,
with Poll Dorsets, Suffolks and Border Leicesters utilised in cross-breeding.
Farm Size
Farm sizes range from 30-40ha hobby properties around the densely populated areas to 25004000ha properties concentrating on cropping and grazing.
Stocking Capacity
The average stocking rate is 1 – 6 DSE/ha.
Hassall & Associates Pty Ltd
Page 43
Structure and Dynamics of the Australian Sheep Industry
Table 21
Region 12a Average Farm
TABLE A – AVERAGE FARM
SRW
280
Numbers of properties
Production Sector – Region 12a
SRM
W
XB
403
TO
152
Movements Off per “average” farm
Live Export
to region
Feedlots
to region
Saleyard
to region
Abattoir
to region*
Property Sales
to region
Total Movements off
41.0%
67.9%
12a
12a
30.6%
12a
2.2%
2.4%
6.9%
12a
12a
12a
20.2%
9.9%
14.2%
50/50 12a/12b
30/70 12a/12b
12a
21.1%
18.5%
44.9%
30/60/10
12a/12b/10b
30/60/10
12a/12b/10b
12a
3.4%
15.4%
1.3%
25/24/25/25
6/8/9/10a
30/70
12a/12b
1350
1573
2966
Numbers On per “average” farm
Purchases
from region
10
12
160
60/40 12a/12b
60/40 12a/12b
12a
20
4
6
6
60
Winter
12a
40
6
2
5
80
Winter
12a
20
6
5
5
70
Win/Sum
12a
Management movements
Feed Pasture only (Prop of properties %)
Lamb muster frequency
Ewe Muster frequency
Ram Muster Frequency
Never seek agistment (Prop of properties %)
Season agistment sought
Region agistment sought
Note 1: xx/xx = percentage split, yy/yy = regional split. Note 2: Region 6: Northern wheat/sheep, Region 8: Eastern high rainfall,
Region 9: Eastern wheat/sheep, Region 10a: Southern wheat/sheep, Region 10b: Southern high rainfall, Region 12a: Western
high rainfall and Region 12b: Western wheat/sheep.
Region specific drivers
œ Lack of processing facilities in WA can lead to a glut of lambs and an inability of abattoirs to
meet processing demand. Consequently, one major carrier has moved up to 90,000 sheep from
WA to SA for slaughter in a year (the droughts in SA had lead to spare abattoir capacity). In
2005/2006 the total number of WA lambs (R12a + R12b) processed in SA reached 250,000
(Jack Langberg PIRSA pers comm.) This was an exceptional year with a very good season in
WA, a poor season in SA and record lamb prices to cover the additional freight. In an average
year this number is closer to 100,000 lambs.
œ Movement of sheep to SA for slaughter usually occurs in the spring through to summer.
œ During periods of recovery from drought or when strong seasonal differences exist between the
eastern and western states, a spike in the price of store sheep might see up to 50,000 restocker sheep move from WA (R12a + R12b) to region 9 for sale in saleyards. (John Knight
pers comm. Wagga Wagga Saleyards). A longer term average movement would be around
25,000 sheep.
Hassall & Associates Pty Ltd
Page 44
Structure and Dynamics of the Australian Sheep Industry
Typical Farm Management Cycle
œ
œ
œ
œ
œ
œ
Late spring joining with a winter lambing.
Weaning in spring with culling of rams, ewes and hoggets.
Ram purchases in the spring.
Lambs/weaner sales vary with climate & season but are usually in spring or autumn.
Most of the larger annual ram sales occur in the spring.
Shearing tends to be in summer with a special shearing before Christmas to sell the culls.
Table 22
Region 12a Typical Farm
TABLE B - TYPICAL FARM
Production Sector – Region 12a
SRM
W
XB
SRW
TO
Numbers (Consignments) Off
Live Export
934 (2)
470 (2)
12a
12a
12a
Spr/Sum
Spr/Sum
Spr/Sum
Feedlots
248 (1)
918 (1)
To Region
12a
12a
Spring
Spring
276 (2)
To Region
Season
Season
534 (2)
Saleyard
128 (2)
239 (2)
To Region
50/50 12a/12b
30/70 12a/12b
12a
Summer
Spring
Spring
278 (2)
616 (2)
1238 (2)
30/60/10
12a/12b/10b
Summer
30/60/10
12a/12b/10b
Spring
12a
Spr/Sum
1573 (7)
2966 (7)
160 (3)
Season
Abattoir
To Region
Season
Property Sales
To Region
Season
Total Movements off
10 (1)
25/24/25/25
6/8/9/10a
Spring
1350 (7)
Numbers (Consignments) On
Purchases
from Region
Season
10 (1)
12 (1)
60/40 12a/12b
60/40 12a/12b
12a
Spr/Sum
Spr/Sum
Spring
Total Sheep/Farm - 30 June #
Average
3702
3363
3688
Max (90% confidence interval)
4116
3994
4261
Min (90% confidence interval)
3288
2731
3115
Note 1: (Z) = Number of consignments – numbers per consignment may vary, Note 2 - xx/xx = percentage split, yy/yy = regional split.
Note 3: Region 6: Northern wheat/sheep, Region 8: Eastern high rainfall, Region 9: Eastern wheat/sheep, Region 10a: Southern
wheat/sheep, Region 10b: Southern high rainfall, Region 12a: Western high rainfall and Region 12b: Western wheat/sheep.
ABARE Data 2004/2005.
Hassall & Associates Pty Ltd
Page 45
Structure and Dynamics of the Australian Sheep Industry
Region 12b - Western Wheat/Sheep
Geography
The Western Wheat/Sheep region is situated in the southwestern corner of Western Australia, spreading south from
Kalbarri in the north to Esperance on the south coast.
18.3 M Sheep
on 5,707 properties
Climate
The Western Wheat/Sheep region is located in the
Mediterranean climatic region. The annual rainfall varies from a maximum of 700mm per year on
the coast to 300mm inland. The average maximum temperature in February is 26.3C and the
average minimum temperature in July is 8.1C. Western Wheat/Sheep has a windy climate which
combined with the sandy topsoils makes wind erosion a hazard on exposed soil. This poses most
risk in combination with strong pre-frontal N-NW winds in the early winter. A strong summer SE
sea "breeze" is a feature of the sandplain areas.
Pastures
Animal production uses either permanent annual and perennial pastures or annual based pastures
grown in rotation with cropping operations. Perennial pastures are being used for reducing
groundwater recharge and increasing out-of-season feed supply while saltland pastures are being
used for increased productivity and profitability of saline land. Saline land covers a large amount of
area within this region. Lucerne has been a key perennial species in this region.
Dominant Production Sector
In this region 58 per cent of the flock are utilised in self replacing wool production. A further 34 per
cent of the total flock are engaged in self replacing meat production with the remainder classified
as trading and other use. Although the number of exotic sheep in the region is largely limited to
hobby properties, there is significant interest in exotic breeds as an option for the future. This is
due to their relatively low maintenance and ability to survive in harsh conditions. Like the Western
High Rainfall region, the flock is built on a Merino base, with Poll Dorset, Suffolk and Border
Leicester crosses.
Farm Size
Farm sizes range from 30-40 ha hobby properties around the town to 2500-4000 ha properties
concentrating on cropping and grazing.
Stocking Capacity
The average stocking rate is 4 – 9 DSE/ha.
Current Issues
œ The high cost of transport ($20/hd) restricts the movement of sheep from west to east to high
value stud animals and prime lambs.
Hassall & Associates Pty Ltd
Page 46
Structure and Dynamics of the Australian Sheep Industry
Table 23
Region 12b Average Farm
TABLE A – AVERAGE FARM
SRW
3069
Numbers of properties
Production Sector – Region 12b
SRM
W
XB
1889
TO
749
Movements Off per “average” farm
Live Export
to region
Feedlots
to region
Saleyard
to region
Abattoir
to region*
Property Sales
to region
Total Movements off
40.7%
61.3%
12a
12a
36.0%
12a
1.3%
1.0%
11.5%
12a
12a
12a
21.4%
13.1%
17.8%
50/50 12a/12b
20/80 12a/12b
12a
23.9%
22.7%
31.9%
12a
30/60/10
12a/12b/10b
12a
12.6%
1.8%
2.9%
50/50 12a/12b
20/80 12a/12b
50/50 12a/12b
2999
1240
1224
Numbers On per “average” farm
Purchases
from region
20
10
406
80/20 12a/12b
80/20 12a/12b
12a
10
5
5
5
60
Winter
12a
30
5
2
5
80
Winter
12a
20
6
5
5
70
Win/Sum
12a/12b
Management movements
Feed Pasture only (Prop of properties %)
Lamb muster frequency
Ewe Muster frequency
Ram Muster Frequency
Never seek agistment (Prop of properties %)
Season agistment sought
Region agistment sought
Note 1: xx/xx = percentage split, yy/yy = regional split. Note 2: Region 10b: Southern high rainfall, Region 12a: Western high
rainfall and Region 12b: Western wheat/sheep.
Region specific drivers
œ A lack of processing facilities in WA can lead to a glut of lambs and the inability of abattoirs to
meet processing demand. One major carrier has moved up to 90,000 sheep from WA to SA for
slaughter in a year (droughts in SA had lead to spare abattoir capacity). In 2005/2006 the total
number of WA lambs (R12a + R12b) processed in SA reached 250,000 (Jack Langberg PIRSA
pers comm.) This was an exceptional year with a very good season in WA, a poor season in SA
and record lamb prices to cover the additional freight. In an average year this number is more
like 100,000 lambs.
œ Movement of sheep to SA for slaughter usually occurs in the spring through to summer.
œ During periods of recovery from drought or when strong seasonal differences exist between the
eastern and western states, a spike in the price of store sheep might see up to 50,000 restocker sheep move from WA (R12a + R12b) to Region 9 for sale in saleyards. (John Knight
pers comm. Wagga Wagga Saleyards). A longer term average movement would be around
25,000 sheep.
œ There is a significant live export trade in this region.
Hassall & Associates Pty Ltd
Page 47
Structure and Dynamics of the Australian Sheep Industry
Typical Farm Management Cycle
œ Late spring joining with an autumn lambing.
œ Weaning in spring, culling rams, ewes and hoggets. Most cull ewes sold on farm.
œ Ram purchases about the same time as weaning.
œ Lambs/weaner sales usually in spring.
œ Most of the larger annual ram sales occur in the spring.
œ Shearing in the spring.
Table 24
Region 12b Typical Farm
TABLE B - TYPICAL FARM
Production Sector – Region 12b
SRM
W
XB
SRW
TO
Numbers (Consignments) Off
Live Export
To Region
Season
1118 (2)
460 (2)
12a
12a
377 (2)
12a
Spr/Sum
Spr/Sum
Spr/Sum
Feedlots
211 (1)
To Region
12a
Season
Spring
Saleyard
719 (1)
475 (2)
To Region
50/50 12a/12b
30/70 12a/12b
12a
Season
Spr/Sum
Spring
Spr/Sum
Abattoir
962 (2)
305 (2)
349 (2)
12a
30/60/10
12a/12b/10b
Spring
12a
Spring
1240 (6)
1224 (7)
406 (3)
To Region
Season
Property Sales
To Region
Season
Total Movements off
Spring
327 (2)
200 (1)
50/50 12a/12b
Spring
2999 (6)
Numbers (Consignments) On
Purchases
from Region
Season
20 (1)
10 (1)
80/20 12a/12b
80/20 12a/12b
12a
Spring
Spring
Win/Spr/Sum
Total Sheep/Farm - 30 June #
Average
7222
3064
1888
Max (90% confidence interval)
7796
3848
4528
Min (90% confidence interval)
6648
2280
753
Note 1: (Z) = No of consignments – numbers per consignment may vary, Note 2 - xx/xx = percentage split, yy/yy = regional split.
Note 3: Region 10b: Southern high rainfall, Region 12a: Western high rainfall and Region 12b: Western wheat/sheep.
ABARE Data 2004/2005.
Hassall & Associates Pty Ltd
Page 48
Structure and Dynamics of the Australian Sheep Industry
Region 124 - Northern Tropics
Geography
The Northern Tropics region spans across the Kimberley of
Western Australia, the northern half of the Northern Territory
and the Cape York Peninsula and Gulf area of Queensland.
The region is largely comprised of pastoral country in the
seasonally dry tropical region of Australia, characterised by
almost exclusive summer rainfall and a relatively dry winter.
0.4 M Sheep
on 83 properties
Climate
The monsoon trough is a broad area of low atmospheric pressure running east-west through the
tropics in the summer months. During the summer it lies for lengthy periods over north Australia,
and is the source of much rainfall. Tropical cyclones can develop off the coast in the wet season,
usually forming within an active monsoon trough. Heavy rain and high winds, sometimes of
destructive strength, can be experienced along the coast within several hundred kilometres of the
centre of a cyclone. Northern and, to a lesser extent, central parts of Australia experience two
distinct seasons: the "wet" (October to April) and the "dry" (May to September). The change
between seasons is usually gradual, with transition months of October and November (often called
the "build-up") at the start of the wet, and April at its end.
Pastures
The Northern Tropical sheep flock is run largely on open Mitchell and Flinders grass plains, with
little tree cover.
Dominant Production Sector
The majority of the flock is located in the northern Queensland areas of Winton and Richmond due
to the lower suitability of the Northern Territory and Kimberley region for sheep production. Due to
the semi-arid nature of the landscape, seasonal flock nutritional deficiencies and low reproduction
rates characterise the production system in the region. Consequently, exotic meat sheep breeds
are of increasing importance, as they are more suited to the tropical climate. These breeds include
Damara and Dorper. The sheep flocks in this region are small. Although not included in the
ABARE data, local DPI staff have indicated that there are several wether flocks of around 1,500
head that are used in rotation with cattle to assist in the control of cattle tick.
Carrying capacity
Stocking rates for the unimproved land in northern Australia are generally quite low, about 1 sheep
to 25 ha.
Current Issues
œ Wild dogs lead to significant sheep losses. (30-50%).
œ Lack of labour with sheep experience is driving people out of sheep and into cattle.
œ Low profits, wild dogs and a lack of labour means there are probably very few sheep left in this
region as at June 2006 (Gary Dick pers. comm.)
Hassall & Associates Pty Ltd
Page 49
Structure and Dynamics of the Australian Sheep Industry
Table 25
Region 124 Average Farm
TABLE A – AVERAGE FARM
SRW
Numbers of properties
83
Production Sector – Region 124
SRM
W*
XB
N/A
TO
Movements Off per “average” farm
Live Export
to region
Feedlots
to region
Saleyard
to region
Abattoir
to region*
Property Sales
to region
Total Movements off
73.9%
100.0%
6
6
26.1%
6
3442
560
34
575
6
6
20
3
2
2
50
Winter
6
100
Numbers On per “average” farm
Purchases
from region
Management movements
Feed Pasture only (Prop of properties %)
Lamb muster frequency
Ewe Muster frequency
Ram Muster Frequency
Never seek agistment (Prop of properties %)
Season agistment sought
Region agistment sought
1
100
Note 1: xx/xx = percentage split, yy/yy = regional split. Note 2: Region 6: Northern wheat/sheep. Note: No ABARE Data –
Experts assumptions where possible.
Region specific drivers
œ The risk of Bluetongue disease spreading into the region’s cattle population and consequently
affecting exports is a reason for the low number of sheep in the region.
Hassall & Associates Pty Ltd
Page 50
Structure and Dynamics of the Australian Sheep Industry
Typical Farm Management Cycle
œ Autumn joining with a late spring lambing.
œ Weaning in spring with culling of rams, ewes and hoggets.
œ Lambs/weaner sales usually in early winter.
œ Large annual ram sales occur in the spring/autumn.
œ Shearing tends to be in winter pre-lambing.
Table 26
Region 124 Typical Farm
TABLE B - TYPICAL FARM
Production Sector – Region 124
SRM
W
XB
SRW
TO
Numbers (Consignments) Off
Live Export
To Region
Season
Feedlots
To Region
Season
Saleyard
To Region
Season
Abattoir
To Region
Season
Property Sales
To Region
Season
Total Movements off
2542 (3)
560 (2)
6
6
Autumn
Autumn
900 (1)
6
Autumn
3442 (4)
560 (2)
34 (1)
575 (1)
Numbers (Consignments) On
Purchases
from Region
Season
50/50 6/9
6
Summer
Spring
Total Sheep/Farm - 30 June 3
Average
5028
1650
Max (90% confidence interval)
6800
1980
Min (90% confidence interval)
3257
1320
Note 1: (Z) = No of consignments – numbers per consignment may vary, Note 2 - xx/xx = percentage split, yy/yy = regional split.
Note 3: Region 6: Northern wheat/sheep. ABARE Data 2004/2005.
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Structure and Dynamics of the Australian Sheep Industry
4 NATIONAL SHEEP MOVEMENTS
4.1 Introduction
A range of seasonal, sociological & financial considerations influence the patterns of movement of
sheep. In understanding the movements of sheep it is helpful to consider:
1. the key factors that influence the numbers and timing of sheep turnoff from a farm
2. the mechanisms by which sheep are sold, transferred and moved between farms or to
abattoirs.
4.2 Key factors influencing turnoff numbers and timing
The key factors which influence the timing and numbers of sheep turned off any farm are market
signals, seasonal conditions and management expertise. These factors also influence the number
of properties running sheep enterprises and the number of sheep on each farm.
Wool and Lamb prices – The largest impact will be on turnoff numbers from each farm. Wool and
lamb prices are especially important on mixed wheat sheep properties and when prices are low
producers will devote less of their management time and dollars to nutrition, disease and parasite
management which in turn reduces weaning percentages and turn off numbers. Currently, lamb
and beef prices are double or in some cases triple the long term averages so there is some
pressure to get out of SRW sheep and into beef or SRM sheep where environmental conditions or
infrastructure such as cattle yards exist. High prices mean higher turn off numbers and justification
for more movement to a finishing farm or feedlot.
Enterprise change – Personal preferences and the costs associated with major changes in the
enterprise mix are significant factors that will limit significant changes in turnoff numbers or timing.
The SRW sector is quite dynamic and when wool prices are high more management attention is
devoted to wool and when lamb prices are high more attention is devoted to sale carcass. Tradition
and conservative management reduce major swings in enterprise mix or management.
Seasonal conditions – Favourable seasonal conditions will lead to higher ewe fertility and
weaning percentages and vice versa. In poor seasons or drought movements increase initially as
producers sell down stock. Recovery from drought may see a spike in movement as producers
restock. The impact on the timing of sales will be quite low.
Breed of sheep – A swing into more breeds like the Dorper would influence turnoff numbers more
so than the timing of turnoff. Exotic breeds like the Dorper are capable of weaning 150% lambs
(100 ewes with 150 lambs at weaning), Crossbreds in the order of 110% and Merinos 85%. The
Dorper weaning percentage indicates the increased fertility as well as the excellent mothering
capabilities of this breed.
Pasture productivity – Large areas of the pastoral region (R3) are suitable for breeding and wool
production but are not reliably productive for lamb finishing. Economics may make it feasible to sell
lambs from these regions earlier for finishing on other farms with more productive pastures or
feedlots. Generally these farms will be in Regions 9 or 10b.
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Personal preference & management – Personal preference, management and farm structure
(enterprise mix, numbers of farms owned) will influence the timing of sheep sold, bought or moved
to another farm.
Running down or building flock numbers – If producers decide to move into more cattle and
cropping and less sheep then annual turnoff numbers will be higher and vice versa.
4.3 National patterns & drivers
National patterns are driven largely by economics given the small profit margin per sheep. In turn,
proximity to marketing outlets, market price signals and personal preference will influence
movement patterns.
West to East - Prime lamb and stud sheep from WA (Regions 12a & 12b) move to the eastern
states – around 100,000 prime lambs annually, nearly all to abattoirs. Up to 25,000 store lambs
also move to Wagga Wagga (Region 9) for sale in this region in an average year. Actual numbers
will be very dependent on relative seasonal conditions. Movement is driven by marketing to a price
advantage and the lack of prime lamb processing facilities in the west.
East to West - There is very limited movement east to west and this is restricted to mainly stud
stock.
North to South – The general movement of sheep in the eastern states is from north to south –
driven by access to the major saleyard and abattoir facilities. Restocker sheep also move from
Queensland into NSW given differentials in seasonal conditions.
South to North – Store lambs move from Region 11 to Region 10b and numbers are driven by
relative seasonal conditions, prices and a lack of processing capacity. Around 250,000 lambs (or
one third of the Tasmanian lamb drop) move on average during the summer months. These
movements are facilitated by the Bass Strait stock transportation subsidy and are contingent on
seasonal conditions being different between Victoria and Tasmania.
4.4 Mechanisms of movement
Given the importance of self replacing sheep sectors in the Australian sheep population and the
preference to purchase rams from sheep studs, the location and number of rams sold will have a
major impact on where sheep move around the country. Transport to saleyards, abattoirs, shows,
live export ports, other farms, feedlots and agistment are other movement mechanisms.
Merino Sheep Studs - Although the number of rams required per farm is small (e.g. 2 rams per
100 ewes joined) movement of rams from studs to breeders will be significant across the country
given that most flocks (except pure trading and wethers) will usually purchase some rams each
year. Average ram sale numbers over the period 2002 to 2004 were 105, 815 stud rams from
1,038 stud Merino ram producers (Australian Stud Merino Breeders Association). Details behind
this figure are presented in Appendix 1.
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The location of those Merino studs that sell more than 20 rams per year is shown in Figure 13. In
a similar trend to overall sheep numbers, the number of Merino stud farms has almost halved since
1991.
Figure 13
Merino stud location by number of rams sold
Source: Australian Stud Merino Breeders Association data 2002 – 2004.
In terms of movement, Bill O’Hallaran (Armidale DPI) has a rule of thumb that for most studs only a
small percentage of stud Merino rams would be sold outside a 500km radius of the stud. This
would be particularly true of the medium to small studs selling less than 500 rams per year.
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Structure and Dynamics of the Australian Sheep Industry
Whilst genetics plays a major role in the performance of Merino sheep, the environment and
nutrition play an almost equal role in how the sheep expresses those genes. This is particularly
important in terms of wool quality. In a survey of 350 stud Merino ram breeders and ram buyers
conducted by Hassall & Associates in 1994, it was found that 81% of stud Merino ram buyers
ranked “proven performance in the local district” as one of the most important factors influencing
which stud they purchased their rams from. Similar breeding objectives and performance
recording were also ranked highly.
Non Merino Sheep Studs
There are 385 registered White Suffolk studs and 220 Dorper studs in Australia. These studs are
mapped in Figure 14. No data on numbers of non-Merino stud rams is available through the
breeders associations, however, it is interesting to note the dominance of the White Suffolk and the
Dorper in terms of the number and distribution of studs.
Figure 14
Distribution of non-Merino studs by meat breed
Source: Royal Agricultural & Horticultural Society Data (2005).
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Structure and Dynamics of the Australian Sheep Industry
Saleyards
The distribution of sheep saleyard centers is shown in Figure 15 which illustrates the annual
throughput at each centre based on National Livestock Reporting Service (NLRS) data. These
saleyards had a combined throughput of 18.5 million in 2004/05.
Figure 15
Distribution of sheep saleyard centers by throughput
Source : National Livestock Reporting Service (NLRS) Data 2006
Store saleyards differ significantly in their operations from prime (slaughter destination) saleyards.
Store sale stock tend to be uniform in size & quality, have large lot sizes and are often drafted on
farm. In contrast, prime saleyards have more vendors, smaller lot sizes, mixed consignments and
require specialised handling to prepare the stock in sale lines to maximise producer returns. This
also means prime saleyards require a greater degree of infrastructure to support these activities.
Increasing environmental and health constraints have reduced the number of saleyards and
focused sheep selling to ten major centers across Australia. There are some 18.5 million sheep
sold through the national saleyard network and of the 102 saleyards monitored by the NLRS, the
top ten, by annual throughput, account for 65% of sales (NLRS Data 2004/05). More details of
throughput by saleyard and sale type are included in Appendix 2.
The top ten saleyards include Wagga Wagga, Dubbo and Forbes in the east, Adelaide, Bendigo,
Ballarat, Hamilton and Naracoorte in the south and Katanning and Midlands in the west. These are
primarily for slaughter with only 8% (1.5 million) of these sales as store sheep which may go onto
feedlots or to restockers. Significant store sheep sales (around 0.5 million head) occur in
Narromine (Region 9) and Katanning (0.5 million) and Midland (0.4 million) both in (Region 12b).
Katanning and Midland differ from the eastern states in that around 50% of throughput is for
processing and 50% for store sales.
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Structure and Dynamics of the Australian Sheep Industry
Live Export Centers
On average over the past nine years, 6.5 million live sheep have been exported from 25 centers
around Australia. Wethers are the major class of animal for the live export market (90%), however,
there are some live ewes and lambs exported to specialty markets. While there are quite a few live
export centers, Fremantle, Portland and Port Hedland account for 98% of all live sheep exports.
Figure 16
Numbers of live sheep exported by port
P ortland
1 4%
P ort H edlan d
12 %
D e von po rt
1%
O th ers
1%
F rem a ntle
72 %
Source : ABS Data 2006
In the northern regions, live sheep are exported mostly in the spring and summer before the onset
of the wet season when mustering and transport of stock becomes almost impossible. In the
southern regions the pattern is more mixed, reflecting 1) the absence of a major wet season and
year, 2) the opportunity to fatten wethers in various seasons and 3) a range of geographic
locations supplying the major ports of Fremantle, Portland and Port Hedland.
The timing of this movement and on farm management are influenced by the timing of Ramadan
which moves forward 11 days each year and influences a significant export market.
Figure 17
Live export ports and seasonality of exports
Source : ABS Data 2006
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Structure and Dynamics of the Australian Sheep Industry
Abattoirs
ABARE is forecasting 27 million sheep and lambs to be processed in 2005/06, almost 50% of this
total would be processed at the ten largest factories scattered through Regions 8, 9, 10a, 10b, 12a
and 12b.
Figure 18
Sheep abattoir location & throughput
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Structure and Dynamics of the Australian Sheep Industry
Shows
There are eight Royal Agricultural Society shows held in each capital city across Australia every
year. These shows gain exhibitors from many different areas of Australia. Table 27 shows the
timing of the show as well as the region that the sheep come from in order to attend the show.
Table 27
Timing of shows and the regions that participate.
Month
Show location
Participates (Regions)
Number of sheep
February
Canberra
8, 9, 10a and 10b
526
March
Sydney
3, 8, 9 and 10b
300 merinos 400 dual purpose
July
Darwin
124
Not available
August
Brisbane
5,6,7,8 and 9
Not available
September
Adelaide
3, 10a and 10b
Not available
September
Melbourne
3, 8, 9, 10a, 10b, 12a and 12b
750
September
Perth
10b, 12a and 12b
Not available
October
Hobart
11
250 - 300
Source : Various Show Society Data
Breeding & Finishing
Traditionally, SRW Merino flocks have been run in the pastoral region (Region 3) primarily for their
wool, with CFA rams/ewes and surplus young sheep sold into the wheat/sheep regions (Regions 9,
10a and 12b). MLA and DPI (NSW) are encouraging sheep producers in region 3 to focus on
breeding sheep and selling young weaners (12 to 14 weeks) into the more reliable wheat/sheep
regions for finishing or to feedlots.
High lamb prices have made it economic to transport lambs and provide a margin for the finishing
exercise. This can be a higher risk production strategy and long term profitability will be dependent
on the relative prices of wool, lamb, mutton and replacement ewes.
The ultimate impact of this strategy on sheep movements is difficult to predict. There is consensus
that breeding/finishing will raise weaning percentages and allow more ewes to be run per farm. In
turn this should increase the number of young sheep moving into Regions 9, 10a and 12b. These
movements will be around nine months earlier in the season.
As Region 3 has only around 7% of the national flock, the total scale of movement is relatively
small. It may increase the proportion of movement that is between farms rather than to abattoirs.
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Structure and Dynamics of the Australian Sheep Industry
Feedlots
Feedlots are generally located in the wheat/sheep region (Regions 6, 9, 10a & 12b). In good
seasons they source most of their sheep from surplus young stock within the region. In poor
seasons they need to source a greater proportion from Region 3. In Regions 7 and 8 the sheep are
generally not suitable for feedlots as they are usually smaller framed, specialist fine wool sheep
and producers are not keen to join them to a terminal sire in order to produce a more suitable lamb
for the feedlot.
While lamb prices are high and grain prices are low, feedlots will provide a mechanism to move
young sheep. In good seasons this movement will be predominantly intra-regional, with more interregional movement in the poor seasons.
Agistment
Agistment is not often used by sheep producers to provide feed for their stock in droughts or poor
seasons. On average, across all regions and production sectors, 85% of sheep producers never
agist their stock. The cost of transport and the actual cost of the agistment is often greater than the
profit margin involved. There are also some concerns of OJD or footrot infecting their sheep during
agistment (predominately to Region 8). The direction sheep move for agistment will depend greatly
on significant seasonal differences between regions.
Agistment of sheep is not a mechanism frequently used for moving sheep.
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Structure and Dynamics of the Australian Sheep Industry
4.5 Conclusions
Sheep movements are mostly restricted to a 200km radius from where they were born and bred.
This is largely due to there being generally a small profit margin per sheep and producers’ inability
to economically justify moving sheep large distances. Other factors such as performance of
bloodline in the local region and preference for same day purchase and arrival of sheep contribute
to reasons why sheep tend not to move very far. For stud animals, this radius of movement might
be extended to 500km as there are fewer animals to move, the producer may be able to transport
them with farm vehicles and the economics of transport can be justified.
Sheep movements in terms of size and timing are driven primarily by the type of production sector
involved. Because 78% of the sheep in the national flock are involved in self replacing breeding
systems, the only movements onto the properties will be stud rams and the only movement off the
properties will be CFA rams and ewes and surplus young sheep (hoggets or lambs). In terms of
percentages of ewes in a SRW farm flock joined this would mean:
œ
0.05% rams moving onto the farm
œ
18% cull sheep
œ
64% young surplus sheep leaving the farm.
These proportions will vary predominantly with weaning percentages which in turn are driven by
nutrition and genetics.
Droughts, recovery from droughts and large seasonal differentials will significantly increase the
distances and number of sheep moved compared to a “normal” season. For example, lamb
movements from WA (R12a & 12b) to SA are up by 250% from 100,000 to 250,000 (2005/06) due
to a strong seasonal differential and spare processing capacity in SA. These factors drive the
economics of the sale/purchase so that larger margins cover the increased travel costs. High value
sheep, transport efficiencies (such as B-doubles) and favourable commodity prices will also
increase the distances sheep move.
The spatial distribution and the number of sheep sold from sheep studs, saleyards and live export
centers will also impact on the size and number of consignments. The decline in the number of
sheep studs and abattoirs and the increasing popularity of on-farm auction technology such as
“Auctions Plus” (an internet based system) may increase the distances sheep move in the future.
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Structure and Dynamics of the Australian Sheep Industry
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Structure and Dynamics of the Australian Sheep Industry
5 REFERENCES
ABARE (2005a), Australian Commodity Statistics, Location: www.abare.gov.au
ABARE (2005b), Sheep composition, by production system, Australia & by Regional Zone
2004/05.
Location: www.abare.gov.au
ABARE (2004), Australian Lamb 04.2, November
Bureau of Meteorology (2006), Climate Averages.
Location: www.bom.gov.au
Commonwealth Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (2006), Snapshot of the
Livestock Export Industry.
Location: http://www.affa.gov.au/content/output.cfm?ObjectID=E1B75863-343D-48A0-9CC388B4F451F899
Commonwealth Department of the Environment and Heritage (2006), Australia’s 15 National
Biodiversity Hotspots.
Location: http://www.deh.gov.au/biodiversity/hotspots/facts.html
Commonwealth Department of the Environment and Heritage (2003), Bushcare Support 2003:
Native Vegetation Management.
Location: http://www.deh.gov.au/land/publications/nvm-nsw-act/pubs/nsw-act-central-west.pdf
Hassall & Associates (1994) “An electronic register of Stud Merino ram breeders” Wool Research
& Development Corporation (WRDC)
Government of South Australia (2006), Atlas of South Australia.
Location: http://www.atlas.sa.gov.au/go/resources/atlas-of-south-australia-1986/regional-areas/south-east
Murray Catchment Authority (2006), The Catchment.
Location: http://www.murray.cma.nsw.gov.au/catchment.html
Murrumbidgee Catchment Management Authority (2006), Native vegetation in the Murrumbidgee
Catchment.
Location: http://www.murrumbidgee.cma.nsw.gov.au/11.0.html
National Farmers Federation (1991), Australian Agriculture: the complete reference guide,
Morescope Pty Ltd, Victoria.
National Parks Association of New South Wales (2006), Bioregions of Coastal New South Wales.
Location: http://www.npansw.org.au/web/journal/200002/Febbioregions.htm
New South Wales Department of Primary Industries (2006), Ovine Johne's Disease. Location:
http://www.agric.nsw.gov.au/reader/ojd
Hassall & Associates Pty Ltd
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Structure and Dynamics of the Australian Sheep Industry
Northern Tasmania Development (2006), The Agriculture Industry.
Location: http://www.northerntasmania.info/invest/agriculture.html
Parks & Wildlife Service Tasmania (2006), Plants of Tasmania.
Location: http://www.parks.tas.gov.au/veg/grassland/index.html
Queensland Department of Primary Industries & Fisheries (2006), The Sheep and Wool Industry in
Queensland.
Location: http://www2.dpi.qld.gov.au/sheep/7925.html
Rural Workforce Support (2006), Tasmanian GP Atlas.
Location: http://www.gpatlas.org.au/subsector.php?id=108348
Tasmanian Department of Primary Industries, Water and Environment (2006), Sheep.
Location: http://www.dpiwe.tas.gov.au/inter.nsf/ThemeNodes/EGIL-534748?open
Tasmanian Department of Primary Industries, Water and Environment (2006), Wool.
Location: http://www.dpiwe.tas.gov.au/inter.nsf/WebPages/EGIL-5HU344?open
Tourism Tasmania (2006), About Tasmania: climate.
Location: http://www.discovertasmania.com/home/index.cfm?SiteID=110
Tourism Tasmania (2006), What makes Tasmania different.
Location:
http://www.discovertasmania.com.au/home/tasmedia_index.cfm?level1=story%20leads&level2=what%20makes%20tas%20different&ta
sdifferentid=5
University of New England (2006), Kirby Pastures 3: Recommended Species of the Northern
Tablelands.
Location: http://www.une.edu.au/agronomy/pastures/teaching/units/agro321/kirbypastassess/3.htm
Victorian Department of Sustainability and Environment (2006), Victorian Midlands.
Location:
http://www.dse.vic.gov.au/dse/nrence.nsf/LinkView/C489566555FD713BCA256EEC000735661C26CB3A9ABC1C2FCA256EE700148D
0B
World Wildlife Fund (2006), Southwestern Australia Forests and Scrub,
Location: http://www.panda.org/about_wwf/where_we_work/ecoregions/swaustralia_forests_scrub.cfm
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APPENDIX 1 – TOP 140 STUD MERINO RAM DATA
Source : Australian Stud Merino Breeders Association (ASMBA) Data
Rank
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
Stud Name
The Grange
Egelabra
Hazeldean
Haddon Rig
Merryville
Pooginook
Well Gully Poll
Woodyarrup
Uardry
East Bungaree
Wurrook
Gum Hill Poll
Moorundie Park Poll
Mungadal
Roseville Park
Collinsville
Strath Haddon
Lewisdale
Cranmore Park
Lewisdale Poll
Barloo
Nepowie Poll
Jaloran
Billandri Poll
Cardo
Mount Ascot
Salt Creek
Goolgumbla
Yarrum Valley Poll
Kylie Poll
Middle View
Nyowee Poll
Old Cobran Poll
The Lagoons
Rutherglen
Angenup
Glanna
Woolkabin
Greenfields
Boonoke Poll
Woolkabin Poll
Wanganella
Kolindale
Willandra
East Mundalla
Sims Uardry
2002
2000
1967
1551
1041
1383
880
765
781
591
756
824
617
450
460
610
700
600
684
696
684
664
520
520
578
502
500
625
460
510
562
472
200
400
440
418
365
454
410
310
337
370
242
350
310
384
145
2003
1990
1249
1385
1086
850
990
800
811
736
607
632
703
900
944
650
596
600
586
551
548
540
590
532
600
2004
1347
1289
1496
1191
870
630
807
753
773
610
511
635
600
491
630
508
600
468
420
422
450
520
430
404
410
480
455
389
505
400
385
403
367
354
380
387
365
350
400
420
375
306
530
440
320
476
322
284
396
520
400
360
302
380
282
300
380
374
330
401
265
320
310
325
375
% Change
-33
-34
-4
14
-37
-28
5
-4
31
-19
-38
3
33
7
3
-27
0
-32
-40
-38
-32
0
-100
-35
-100
-12
-49
3
-37
-49
-16
160
0
-18
-28
4
-38
-27
23
11
-11
66
-24
3
-19
124
Average
1779
1502
1477
1106
1034
833
791
782
700
658
656
652
650
632
630
601
600
579
556
551
551
543
526
518
502
457
450
449
437
434
419
408
400
395
374
371
363
363
359
359
350
348
345
335
333
333
Posctode
6069
2824
2630
2824
2586
2716
4465
6318
2711
5417
3330
5418
5471
2711
2830
5418
6318
6370
6510
6370
6335
6312
6395
6323
6513
4465
3272
2716
6320
6363
2630
5461
2710
2584
6372
6395
2852
6317
5419
2710
6317
2710
6370
2716
6353
2711
Hassall & Associates Pty Ltd
Region
Western High Rainfall
Northern Wheat/sheep
Eastern High Rainfall
Northern Wheat/sheep
Eastern Wheat/sheep
Eastern Wheat/sheep
Northern Wheat/sheep
Western Wheat/Sheep
Eastern Wheat/sheep
Southern Wheat/sheep
South West High Rainfall
Southern Wheat/sheep
Southern Wheat/sheep
Eastern Wheat/sheep
Eastern Wheat/sheep
Southern Wheat/sheep
Western Wheat/Sheep
Western Wheat/Sheep
Western Wheat/Sheep
Western Wheat/Sheep
Western Wheat/Sheep
Western Wheat/Sheep
Western Wheat/Sheep
Western High Rainfall
Western Wheat/Sheep
Northern Wheat/sheep
South West High Rainfall
Eastern Wheat/sheep
Western Wheat/Sheep
Western Wheat/Sheep
Eastern High Rainfall
Southern Wheat/sheep
Eastern Wheat/sheep
Eastern High Rainfall
Western Wheat/Sheep
Western Wheat/Sheep
Eastern Wheat/sheep
Western Wheat/Sheep
Southern Wheat/sheep
Eastern Wheat/sheep
Western Wheat/Sheep
Eastern Wheat/sheep
Western Wheat/Sheep
Eastern Wheat/sheep
Western Wheat/Sheep
Eastern Wheat/sheep
Region ID
12a
6
8
6
9
9
6
12b
9
10a
10b
10a
10a
9
9
10a
12b
12b
12b
12b
12b
12b
12b
12a
12b
6
10b
9
12b
12b
8
10a
9
8
12b
12b
9
12b
10a
9
12b
9
12b
9
12b
9
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Structure and Dynamics of the Australian Sheep Industry
Rank
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
Stud Name
Collinsville Poll
North Ashrose Poll
White River
Greenfields Poll
Nerstane
North Ashrose
Tara Park
Seven Oaks North
Quailerup
Shahs Poll
Fleming Grove Poll
Lansdowne Poll
Pastora Poll
Faraway Poll
Mumblebone
Barcaldine Downs
Wallinar
Willemenup Poll
Eungai
Concordia
Hyfield
East Strathglen
Rock-Bank
One Oak
Woodpark
Severn Park
Gunbar
Shalimar Park
Collandra North Poll
Haseley Poll
Barton Hill Poll
Sunny Valley
Terrick Merinos
Ejanding
Glen Donald
Merrignee
Genanegie
Pemcaw
One Oak No 2
Undabri Poll
Windarra
Boonoke
Lansdowne
Walkindyer Poll
Glendemar
Willigulli North Poll
2002
450
172
305
210
308
158
410
315
520
343
305
310
250
306
411
310
283
260
284
342
290
250
258
270
243
252
250
300
250
262
150
208
264
250
252
250
183
210
125
263
169
182
180
256
234
2003
297
513
347
408
390
469
300
360
280
352
350
337
310
298
238
217
275
268
331
322
220
260
250
230
274
270
2004
250
305
327
347
265
330
245
280
149
234
263
263
350
305
248
330
248
273
184
110
264
260
260
260
243
235
250
253
263
310
249
200
241
210
275
237
275
233
202
212
210
195
197
419
162
272
200
245
210
206
225
263
251
250
321
290
145
260
240
295
252
210
235
% Change
-44
77
7
65
-14
109
-40
-11
-71
-32
-14
-15
40
0
-40
6
-12
5
-35
-68
-9
4
1
-4
0
-7
-100
-33
-4
-20
83
-5
32
-12
-19
-16
-16
7
-6
235
-38
61
10
36
-18
-12
Average
332
330
326
322
321
319
318
318
316
310
306
303
303
303
299
286
269
267
266
258
258
257
256
253
253
252
250
250
248
245
245
243
242
241
238
238
237
233
232
230
228
227
226
226
225
225
Posctode
5418
5471
5607
5419
2354
5418
2586
6421
6315
6409
6450
4478
2656
5272
2820
4725
6318
6335
6575
3536
6395
6320
3294
2716
2716
2630
2652
2354
5605
6566
5417
6395
4472
6461
3418
2586
2869
2844
2716
4390
5271
2710
4478
6535
3380
6535
Hassall & Associates Pty Ltd
Region
Southern Wheat/sheep
Southern Wheat/sheep
Southern Wheat/sheep
Southern Wheat/sheep
Armidale High Rainfall
Southern Wheat/sheep
Eastern Wheat/sheep
Western Wheat/Sheep
Western Wheat/Sheep
Western Wheat/Sheep
Western Wheat/Sheep
Northern Wheat/sheep
Eastern Wheat/sheep
South West High Rainfall
Eastern Wheat/sheep
Northern Wheat/sheep
Western Wheat/Sheep
Western Wheat/Sheep
Western Wheat/Sheep
Eastern Wheat/sheep
Western Wheat/Sheep
Western Wheat/Sheep
South West High Rainfall
Eastern Wheat/sheep
Eastern Wheat/sheep
Eastern High Rainfall
Eastern Wheat/sheep
Armidale High Rainfall
Southern Wheat/sheep
Western Wheat/Sheep
Southern Wheat/sheep
Western Wheat/Sheep
Northern Wheat/sheep
Western Wheat/Sheep
South West High Rainfall
Eastern Wheat/sheep
Eastern Wheat/sheep
Eastern Wheat/sheep
Eastern Wheat/sheep
Northern Wheat/sheep
South West High Rainfall
Eastern Wheat/sheep
Northern Wheat/sheep
Western Wheat/Sheep
South West High Rainfall
Western Wheat/Sheep
Region ID
10a
10a
10a
10a
7
10a
9
12b
12b
12b
12b
6
9
10b
9
6
12b
12b
12b
9
12b
12b
10b
9
9
8
9
7
10a
12b
10a
12b
6
12b
10b
9
9
9
9
6
10b
9
6
12b
10b
12b
Page 67
Structure and Dynamics of the Australian Sheep Industry
Rank
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
128
129
130
131
132
133
134
135
136
137
138
139
140
Stud Name
Tamaleuca
Wallaloo Park
Mooramanna
Keri Keri
Old Ashrose
Bungulla
Charinga
Manunda No 2 Poll
Kurra-Wirra
Cassilis Park
Old Ashrose Poll
Strathglen West
Gringegalgona
Nareeb Nareeb
Lewisdale-Corrigin Poll
Grathlyn
C Lake Poll
Alma
Seven Oaks North Poll
Ashrose Poll
Dongiemon
Towalba
Kolindale Poll
Cressbrook
Raby
Petali
Stockhill
Springvale North Poll
Lorelmo-Willalooka Poll
Umbercollie
Avenel
Mullengudgery
Gowandale
Colvin
Claypans Poll
Wyuna
Wilgunya
Bungaree Poll
Calcaling Poll
Leahcim Poll
Cramphorne
Undabri
GRASS Merinos
Glenville
Springvale
Portland Downs
Kelvale Poll
Anro
2002
312
249
190
216
133
216
275
231
141
122
210
223
267
200
224
197
210
165
225
227
300
227
163
125
302
149
178
210
164
202
188
230
210
185
179
110
185
190
220
136
179
150
126
386
2003
138
182
199
205
245
295
258
210
248
257
318
200
226
157
207
218
261
245
200
205
195
150
230
269
291
168
244
243
206
225
187
281
190
184
186
185
170
202
180
170
209
166
169
182
200
78
206
100
2004
221
228
267
231
187
218
168
145
150
230
184
165
188
205
168
150
150
240
172
180
150
142
165
181
121
167
170
195
192
111
160
181
189
196
200
241
185
190
119
243
193
181
190
281
203
47
% Change
-29
-8
41
13
-13
64
-22
-47
-35
63
51
-100
-26
-30
3
-25
-24
-29
45
-24
-21
-50
-37
1
45
-60
-100
-6
-19
19
-5
-41
-30
-14
2
9
18
119
0
0
-46
79
14
1
27
260
61
-88
Average
224
220
219
218
216
215
214
210
210
209
208
205
205
204
204
203
203
202
202
201
201
200
200
199
199
197
197
196
195
195
194
193
193
192
187
187
185
184
183
183
183
182
181
181
180
180
178
178
Posctode
3490
3387
4487
2733
5419
2346
3518
6409
3315
2329
5419
6330
3407
3293
6375
2850
3500
2711
6421
5266
6391
2869
6370
2350
2824
2354
6383
5417
5271
4390
2710
2825
3478
6510
6375
2827
4486
5453
6479
5520
6420
4390
2830
5602
5417
4727
5416
6513
Hassall & Associates Pty Ltd
Region
Southern Wheat/sheep
Southern Wheat/sheep
Northern Wheat/sheep
Eastern Wheat/sheep
Southern Wheat/sheep
Northern Wheat/sheep
Eastern Wheat/sheep
Western Wheat/Sheep
South West High Rainfall
Eastern High Rainfall
Southern Wheat/sheep
Western High Rainfall
South West High Rainfall
South West High Rainfall
Western Wheat/Sheep
Eastern High Rainfall
Central Pastoral
Eastern Wheat/sheep
Western Wheat/Sheep
South West High Rainfall
Western Wheat/Sheep
Eastern Wheat/sheep
Western Wheat/Sheep
Armidale High Rainfall
Northern Wheat/sheep
Armidale High Rainfall
Western Wheat/Sheep
Southern Wheat/sheep
South West High Rainfall
Northern Wheat/sheep
Eastern Wheat/sheep
Northern Wheat/sheep
Eastern Wheat/sheep
Western Wheat/Sheep
Western Wheat/Sheep
Eastern Wheat/sheep
Northern Wheat/sheep
Southern Wheat/sheep
Western Wheat/Sheep
Southern Wheat/sheep
Western Wheat/Sheep
Northern Wheat/sheep
Eastern Wheat/sheep
Southern Wheat/sheep
Southern Wheat/sheep
Northern Wheat/sheep
Southern Wheat/sheep
Western Wheat/Sheep
Region ID
10a
10a
6
9
10a
6
9
12b
10b
8
10a
12a
10b
10b
12b
8
3
9
12b
10b
12b
9
12b
7
6
7
12b
10a
10b
6
9
6
9
12b
12b
9
6
10a
12b
10a
12b
6
9
10a
10a
6
10a
12b
Page 68
Structure and Dynamics of the Australian Sheep Industry
APPENDIX 2 – NATIONAL SHEEP SALEYARD DATA
Source : National Livestock Reporting Service Data (NLRS) 2006
RANK SALEYARD
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
Wagga Wagga
Dubbo
Adelaide
Ballarat
Bendigo
Katanning
Hamilton
Forbes
Midland
Naracoorte
Horsham
Corowa
Griffith
Narromine
Goulburn
Cowra
Tamworth
Bathurst
Deniliquin
Mount Gambier
Launceston
Swan hill
Inverell
Ouyen
Dunedoo
Glen innes
Geelong
Cooma
Wycheproof
Jerilderie
Warracknabeal
Young
Cootamundra
Armidale
Warwick
Blayney
Yarrawonga
West Wyalong
Guyra
Kerang
Orange
Finley
Dalby
Bairnsdale
Temora
Millicent
Warrnambool
Balranald
Sale
Casterton
Northam
PRIME
STORE
TOTAL
1680299
1429402
0
0
0
0
0
557983
0
11672
432848
0
0
25110
0
391513
8692
0
5640
0
116776
0
0
0
9438
0
31550
0
0
90902
0
109924
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
79529
2230
0
0
0
7314
0
0
0
0
40298
0
0
36687
1680299
1429402
1317233
1262140
1236229
1115966
1047226
1017003
865695
652823
466799
449378
407844
391513
373575
340404
296780
288085
268118
254936
200000
196431
176960
165217
135100
133533
129812
121367
114478
109924
104300
102522
99419
99404
97871
94118
88231
79529
75919
74900
69655
67191
60314
58117
57342
57104
49325
40298
38000
36818
36687
557983
1005331
432848
424268
407844
364883
340404
291140
288085
151342
167522
103550
133533
30465
102522
99419
99404
97871
94118
73689
69655
67191
53000
57342
STATE PCODE
NSW
NSW
SA
VIC
VIC
WA
VIC
NSW
WA
SA
VIC
NSW
NSW
NSW
NSW
NSW
NSW
NSW
NSW
SA
TAS
VIC
NSW
VIC
NSW
NSW
VIC
NSW
VIC
NSW
VIC
NSW
NSW
NSW
QLD
NSW
VIC
NSW
NSW
VIC
NSW
NSW
QLD
VIC
NSW
SA
VIC
NSW
VIC
VIC
WA
2650
2830
5000
3350
3550
6317
3300
2871
6056
5271
3400
2646
2680
2821
2580
2794
2340
2795
2710
5290
7250
3585
2360
3490
2844
2370
3220
2630
3527
2716
3393
2594
2590
2350
4370
2799
3730
2671
2365
3579
2800
2713
4405
3875
2666
5280
3280
2715
3850
3311
6401
Hassall & Associates Pty Ltd
ZONE_ID ZONENAME
9
9
10b
10b
9
12b
10b
9
12a
10b
10b
9
9
9
8
9
6
8
9
10b
11
10a
6
10a
9
7
10b
8
10a
9
10b
9
9
7
6
8
9
9
7
10a
8
9
6
8
9
10b
10b
3
8
10b
12b
Eastern Wheat/sheep
Eastern Wheat/sheep
South West High Rainfall
South West High Rainfall
Eastern Wheat/sheep
Western Wheat/Sheep
South West High Rainfall
Eastern Wheat/sheep
Western High Rainfall
South West High Rainfall
South West High Rainfall
Eastern Wheat/sheep
Eastern Wheat/sheep
Eastern Wheat/sheep
Eastern High Rainfall
Eastern Wheat/sheep
Northern Wheat/sheep
Eastern High Rainfall
Eastern Wheat/sheep
South West High Rainfall
Tasmania
Southern Wheat/sheep
Northern Wheat/sheep
Southern Wheat/sheep
Eastern Wheat/sheep
Armidale High Rainfall
South West High Rainfall
Eastern High Rainfall
Southern Wheat/sheep
Eastern Wheat/sheep
South West High Rainfall
Eastern Wheat/sheep
Eastern Wheat/sheep
Armidale High Rainfall
Northern Wheat/sheep
Eastern High Rainfall
Eastern Wheat/sheep
Eastern Wheat/sheep
Armidale High Rainfall
Southern Wheat/sheep
Eastern High Rainfall
Eastern Wheat/sheep
Northern Wheat/sheep
Eastern High Rainfall
Eastern Wheat/sheep
South West High Rainfall
South West High Rainfall
Central Pastoral
Eastern High Rainfall
South West High Rainfall
Western Wheat/Sheep
Page 69
Structure and Dynamics of the Australian Sheep Industry
RANK SALEYARD
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
101
102
Nhill
Moora
Walcha
Narrogin
Urana
Kojonup
Coonamble
Narrandera
Wangaratta
Kyneton
Quairading
Wickepin
Hillston
Narngulu
Lake Grace
Boyup brook
Kondinin
Mudgee
Walgett
Wodonga
Jerramungup
Merredin
Mingenew
Coleraine
Brookton
Barraba
Camden
Toowoomba
Bruce Rock
Crookwell
Windsor
Gunnedah
Lismore
Corrigin
Narrabri
Dowerin
Bombala
Moss vale
Gloucester
Condobolin
Denman
Oakey
Colac
Gatton
Beaudesert
Taree
Bega
Nabiac
Narembeen
Wongan hills
Coolah
PRIME
27971
7455
9651
4875
4401
1101
1471
806
986
794
442
120
66
40
7
STORE
TOTAL
0
30716
0
26306
25000
22751
22560
21000
0
0
15812
15812
15000
13200
11420
10187
10000
2321
0
0
8000
6500
6500
0
5500
5460
0
0
4300
4163
3840
3363
1632
2700
0
1347
482
0
0
770
650
0
0
40
120
0
0
24
10
10
0
36266
30716
27971
26306
25000
22751
22560
21000
19734
17144
15812
15812
15000
13200
11420
10187
10000
9776
9651
9411
8000
6500
6500
5631
5500
5460
4875
4401
4300
4163
3840
3363
2733
2700
1471
1347
1288
986
794
770
650
442
287
160
120
66
40
24
10
10
7
STATE PCODE
VIC
WA
NSW
WA
NSW
WA
NSW
NSW
VIC
VIC
WA
WA
NSW
WA
WA
WA
WA
NSW
NSW
VIC
WA
WA
WA
VIC
WA
NSW
NSW
QLD
WA
NSW
NSW
NSW
NSW
WA
NSW
WA
NSW
NSW
NSW
NSW
NSW
QLD
VIC
QLD
QLD
NSW
NSW
NSW
WA
WA
NSW
3418
6510
2354
6312
2645
6395
2829
2700
3678
3444
6383
6370
2675
6532
6353
6244
6367
2850
2832
3690
6337
6415
6522
3315
6306
2347
2570
4350
6418
2583
2756
2380
2480
6375
2390
6461
2632
2577
2422
2877
2328
4401
3250
4343
4285
2430
2550
2312
6369
6603
2843
Hassall & Associates Pty Ltd
ZONE_ID ZONENAME
10b
12b
7
12b
9
12b
6
9
9
10b
12b
12b
9
12b
12b
12a
12b
8
6
8
12b
12b
12b
10b
12b
6
8
6
12b
8
8
6
5
12b
6
12b
8
8
8
3
8
6
10b
5
5
8
8
8
12b
12b
9
South West High Rainfall
Western Wheat/Sheep
Armidale High Rainfall
Western Wheat/Sheep
Eastern Wheat/sheep
Western Wheat/Sheep
Northern Wheat/sheep
Eastern Wheat/sheep
Eastern Wheat/sheep
South West High Rainfall
Western Wheat/Sheep
Western Wheat/Sheep
Eastern Wheat/sheep
Western Wheat/Sheep
Western Wheat/Sheep
Western High Rainfall
Western Wheat/Sheep
Eastern High Rainfall
Northern Wheat/sheep
Eastern High Rainfall
Western Wheat/Sheep
Western Wheat/Sheep
Western Wheat/Sheep
South West High Rainfall
Western Wheat/Sheep
Northern Wheat/sheep
Eastern High Rainfall
Northern Wheat/sheep
Western Wheat/Sheep
Eastern High Rainfall
Eastern High Rainfall
Northern Wheat/sheep
North East High Rainfall
Western Wheat/Sheep
Northern Wheat/sheep
Western Wheat/Sheep
Eastern High Rainfall
Eastern High Rainfall
Eastern High Rainfall
Central Pastoral
Eastern High Rainfall
Northern Wheat/sheep
South West High Rainfall
North East High Rainfall
North East High Rainfall
Eastern High Rainfall
Eastern High Rainfall
Eastern High Rainfall
Western Wheat/Sheep
Western Wheat/Sheep
Eastern Wheat/sheep
Page 70
Structure and Dynamics of the Australian Sheep Industry
APPENDIX 3 – LIVE SHEEP EXPORT DATA
Source : ABS Data 2006
PORT
Fremantle
Portland
Port Adelaid
Devonport
Gladstone
Geraldton
Broome
Perth Airpor
Esperance
Port Hedland
Darwin
Melbourne
Bunbury
Perth
Other Ports
Adelaide
Townsville
Adelaide Air
Wyndham
Karumba
Weipa
Mascot Airpo
Brisbane Air
PORT
Adelaide
Adelaide Air
Brisbane Air
Broome
Bunbury
Darwin
Devonport
Esperance
Fremantle
Geraldton
Gladstone
Karumba
Mascot Airpo
Melbourne
Other Ports
Perth
Perth Airpor
Port Adelaid
Port Hedland
Portland
Townsville
Weipa
Wyndham
Annual exports by port - 9 years average data ABS
AUTUMN
SUMMER
SPRING
WINTER
TOTAL
1,029,088
1,287,255
1,334,036
946,101
4,596,479
253,957
284,999
162,620
226,938
928,514
183,718
168,248
210,973
206,481
769,421
8,097
50,125
0
0
58,222
0
0
7,709
2,827
10,536
2,174
3,307
4,053
261
9,794
1,084
285
2,499
3,611
7,480
1,737
1,959
1,700
1,894
7,291
0
5,605
0
0
5,605
171
0
2,010
142
2,324
130
0
459
937
1,527
5
120
585
209
919
748
0
0
0
748
384
68
143
139
734
0
0
643
0
643
130
0
53
332
515
200
189
0
0
389
70
78
69
165
382
0
0
0
286
286
0
0
0
221
221
0
0
133
52
185
44
2
63
18
127
0
0
1
0
0
PCODE
5000
5950
4000
6725
5266
0800
7310
6450
6160
6530
7264
4891
2000
3000
5000
6000
6105
5000
6721
2847
4810
4874
6740
ZONE_ID
10b
10b
5
124
10b
124
11
12b
12a
12b
11
124
8
10b
10b
12a
12a
10b
3
10b
5
124
124
Hassall & Associates Pty Ltd
Page 71
Structure and Dynamics of the Australian Sheep Industry
APPENDIX 4 – ABATTOIR THROUGHPUT DATA
Source : Australian Meat Processors Corporation Data 2006
ABATTOIR
LOCATION
Bunganbah Meat Company
Burrangong Meat Processor
Cowra Abattoir Pty Limite
D A Holdings Pty Ltd
Fletcher International Ex
G M Scott Pty Ltd
Hirino Pty Ltd
J R Burnett Pty Ltd
Narasell Pty Ltd
Peel Valley Exporters Pty
Southern Meats Pty Ltd
Tolsat Pty Ltd
Wandeal Pastoral Co
Wollondilly Abattoirs Pty
Woodbrae Holdings Pty Ltd
Ballyhigh Pty Ltd
Barcoo Butchery
Brisbane Valley Meats
Chaplain Abattoirs
D R Plant AFT Plant Famil
Flinders Butchery
Frazer's Butchery
Goondiwindi Meats Pty Ltd
Gordon's Meats
H F Gray
Halifax Butchery
Highchester Pty Ltd
J D & J I Allen Pty Ltd
Jimbour Butchery
Kemp Grazing Pty Ltd
Killarney Abattoir
Maclagan Meats
Millmerran Meat Holdings
Nelson Family Meats
Quilpie Butchery Pty Ltd
Rentport Pty Ltd
RS & DJ Mitchell
Southern Queensland Expor
Vitellin Pty Ltd
B & G Pedler Nominees Pty
Conroys Port Pirie Abatto
Dalriada Meat Pty Ltd
Handke Bros
Lindner Meats
Lobethal Abattoir
Loxton Abattoir
Normanville Meatworks Uni
Pinkertons Butchers
Coonabarabran
NSW
2357
C
Eastern Wheat/sheep
Young
NSW
2594
C
Eastern Wheat/sheep
Cowra
NSW
2794
B
Eastern Wheat/sheep
Moruya
NSW
2537
C
Eastern High Rainfall
Dubbo
NSW
2830
A
Eastern Wheat/sheep
Cootamundra
NSW
2590
B
Eastern Wheat/sheep
Gundagai
NSW
2722
B
Eastern Wheat/sheep
Kurri Kurri
NSW
2327
C
Eastern High Rainfall
Junee
NSW
2663
B
Eastern Wheat/sheep
Armidale
NSW
2350
B
Armidale High Rainfall
Goulburn
NSW
2580
A
Eastern High Rainfall
Frederickton
NSW
2440
C
Eastern High Rainfall
Ulladulla
NSW
2539
C
Eastern High Rainfall
Picton
NSW
2571
C
Eastern High Rainfall
Harden
NSW
2587
B
Eastern Wheat/sheep
Warwick
QLD
4370
C
Northern Wheat/sheep
Blackall
QLD
4472
C
Northern Wheat/sheep
ESK
QLD
4312
C
North East High Rainfall
Miles
QLD
4415
C
Northern Wheat/sheep
Charters Towers
QLD
4820
C
Northern High Rainfall
Hughenden
QLD
4821
C
Northern High Rainfall
Augathella
QLD
4477
C
Northern Wheat/sheep
Goondiwindi
QLD
4390
C
Northern Wheat/sheep
Bell
QLD
4408
C
Northern Wheat/sheep
Eumundi
QLD
4562
C
North East High Rainfall
Halifax
QLD
4850
C
North East High Rainfall
Beaudesert
QLD
4285
C
North East High Rainfall
Stanthorpe
QLD
4380
C
Northern Wheat/sheep
Jimbour
QLD
4406
C
Northern Wheat/sheep
Sarina
QLD
4737
C
North East High Rainfall
Killarney
QLD
4373
C
Northern Wheat/sheep
Maclagan
QLD
5352
C
Southern Wheat/sheep
Millmerran
QLD
4357
C
Northern Wheat/sheep
Jandowae
QLD
4410
C
Northern Wheat/sheep
Quilpie
QLD
4480
C
Central Pastoral
Mundubbera
QLD
4626
C
North East High Rainfall
Monto
QLD
4630
C
Northern Wheat/sheep
Armidale
QLD
4383
B
Northern Wheat/sheep
Mount Morgan
QLD
4714
C
Northern Wheat/sheep
Millicent
SA
5280
C
South West High Rainfall
Port Pirie
SA
5270
A
South West High Rainfall
Keith
SA
5267
C
South West High Rainfall
Eudunda
SA
5374
C
Southern Wheat/sheep
Renmark
SA
5341
C
Central Pastoral
Lobethal
SA
5241
B
South West High Rainfall
Loxton
SA
5333
C
Southern Wheat/sheep
Yankalilla
SA
5203
C
South West High Rainfall
Kingston
SA
5272
C
South West High Rainfall
Note: A = >1,000,000 B = >370,000 <1,000,000 C = <370,000
STATE
POSTCODE
SIZE
Hassall & Associates Pty Ltd
ZONENAME
ZONE_ID
9
9
9
8
9
9
9
8
9
7
8
8
8
8
9
6
6
5
6
124
124
6
6
6
5
5
5
6
6
5
6
10a
6
6
3
5
6
6
6
10b
10b
10b
10a
3
10b
10a
10b
10b
Page 72
Structure and Dynamics of the Australian Sheep Industry
ABATTOIR
LOCATION
Prime Valley Pastoral Co.
Strath Meats Pty Ltd
T&R Pastoral Pty Ltd
Tatiara Meat Company Pty
The Mallee Meat Company L
Devonport City Abattoir P
Longford Meat Company
Taylor Bros
A J & R J Starr Pty Ltd
Ashton Pty Ltd
Cadopen Pty Ltd
Castricum Bros Pty Ltd
CRF (Colac Otway) Pty Ltd
Fresh Packed Pty Ltd
Frewstal Pty Ltd
G & G McGillivray
G A Gathercole Pty Ltd
G A Gathercole Pty Ltd
Gordyn's Pty Ltd
Hardwicks Meat Works Pty
L & G Meat Pty Ltd
L E Giles & Sons
M C Herd Pty Ltd
Midfield Meat Internation
Ninety Second Vilmar Pty
Norvic Food Processing Pt
Ovens River Pty Ltd
R Radford & Sons Pty Ltd
Ralph's Meat Company
Riverside Meats
St Clair Abattoirs
Tasman Group Services Pty
W Ryan Abattoirs Pty Ltd
Beaufort River Meats (W/s
Dardanup Butchering Co
Elderstone Nominees
Fletcher International Ex
Geraldton Meat Exports Pt
Goodchild Abattoir
Hagan Bros Abattoir
K Grieves & R Read & Co
V & V Walsh
WAMMCO International
Two Wells
SA
5501
C
Southern Wheat/sheep
Strathalbyn
SA
5255
C
South West High Rainfall
Murray Bridge
SA
5253
A
Southern Wheat/sheep
Bordertown
SA
5268
A
South West High Rainfall
Karoonda
SA
5307
C
Southern Wheat/sheep
Quoiba
TAS
7310
B
Tasmania
Longford
TAS
7301
B
Tasmania
Elderslie
TAS
7330
C
Tasmania
Inglewood
VIC
3517
C
Eastern Wheat/sheep
Swan Hill
VIC
3585
B
Southern Wheat/sheep
Tallangatta
VIC
3740
C
Eastern High Rainfall
Dandenong
VIC
3175
B
Eastern High Rainfall
Colac
VIC
3250
B
South West High Rainfall
Patterson
VIC
3197
B
Eastern High Rainfall
Stawell
VIC
3380
B
South West High Rainfall
Gunbower
VIC
3566
C
Eastern Wheat/sheep
Wangaratta
VIC
3677
B
Eastern Wheat/sheep
Tatura
VIC
3616
B
Eastern Wheat/sheep
Sale
VIC
3850
C
Eastern High Rainfall
Kyneton
VIC
3444
B
South West High Rainfall
Bacchus Marsh
VIC
3340
C
South West High Rainfall
Trafalgar
VIC
3824
C
Eastern High Rainfall
North Geelong
VIC
3215
A
South West High Rainfall
Warrnambool
VIC
3280
A
South West High Rainfall
Orbost
VIC
3888
C
Eastern High Rainfall
Wodonga
VIC
3690
A
Eastern High Rainfall
Yarrawonga
VIC
3025
B
South West High Rainfall
Warragul
VIC
3820
C
Eastern High Rainfall
Cranbourne
VIC
3977
C
Eastern High Rainfall
Echuca
VIC
3564
C
Eastern Wheat/sheep
Wonthaggi
VIC
3995
C
Eastern High Rainfall
Altona North
VIC
3025
B
South West High Rainfall
Nathalia
VIC
3638
C
Eastern Wheat/sheep
Kojonup
WA
6395
C
Western Wheat/Sheep
Bunbury
WA
6231
C
Western High Rainfall
Narrogin
WA
6312
C
Western Wheat/Sheep
Albany
WA
6331
A
Western High Rainfall
Geraldton
WA
6531
C
Western Wheat/Sheep
Australind
WA
6233
C
Western High Rainfall
Geraldton.
WA
6530
C
Western Wheat/Sheep
Esperance
WA
6450
C
Western Wheat/Sheep
Bunbury
WA
6230
A
Western High Rainfall
Victoria Park
WA
6979
B
Western High Rainfall
Note: A = >1,000,000 B = >370,000 <1,000,000 C = <370,000
STATE
POSTCODE
SIZE
Hassall & Associates Pty Ltd
ZONENAME
ZONE_ID
10a
10b
10a
10b
10a
11
11
11
9
10a
8
8
10b
8
10b
9
9
9
8
10b
10b
8
10b
10b
8
8
10b
8
8
9
8
10b
9
12b
12a
12b
12a
12b
12a
12b
12b
12a
12a
Page 73
Structure and Dynamics of the Australian Sheep Industry
where the price for the animal is quoted per
kilogram for the animal's carcase.
APPENDIX 5 - GLOSSARY
Abattoir: A plant or factory where sheep are
slaughtered for food (also known as a processing
plant, slaughterhouse, or meatworks).
Agent: Sells and buys sheep on behalf of clients.
AuctionsPlus: An internet based livestock
auction system (see www.auctionsplus.com.au).
Border Leicester: A British breed of sheep that is
used to cross with Merino to produce a prime
lamb. The ewe lamb that is produced in this
cross is then crossed with another meat sheep
breed to produce second cross lambs that are
used as a meat sheep.
B-Doubles: An articulated transport vehicle
somewhere in between the size of a standard
semi trailer and a road train. These vehicles are
allowed in areas where road trains are not
permitted and so have decreased costs to move
sheep in these areas by increased efficiency.
Classing: Grouping together animals of similar
types. These grouping are based on wool type or
carcase structure. It is a way of removing inferior
animals from flock.
Crossbred: The result of crossing two breeds,
lines or strains.
F1 The first filial (daughter) generation or first
cross.
F2 x F3, etc. Subsequent filial generations or
crosses after the F1 or first cross.
Crossbreeding: Mating animals from different
breeds to utilise hybrid vigour (heterosis), breed
complimentary and characteristics.
Cull for Age (CFA): To reject an animal from a
breeding and/or production herd or flock, on the
basis of age.
Culls: Sheep that are to be sold as they have
been rejected from the breeding or production
flock.
Cwt: Carcase weight – the weight of an animal's
carcase. Generally refers to price quotes (e.g.:
¢/kg cwt – cents per kilogram carcase weight)
Damara: New breed in Australia, having been
introduced to Australia in 1996. Damara are a
hardy breed grown for their meat and hides. The
main target market for this breed is the live sheep
trade (Middle East), Asia and to a limited degree
for the domestic market. These sheep have hair
instead of wool so there fore they do not need to
be shorn or crutched and don’t suffer from blowfly
attacks. This makes them much less expensive
to run.
Dentition: Number of permanent incisor teeth an
animal has; relates to age.
Direct sale: The sale of sheep on property, direct
to a lotfeeder, processor, backgrounder or
restocker.
Dohne: A dual-purpose breed that allows the
commercial producer to market both a quality
heavy weight slaughter lamb and fine-medium
white wool.
Dorper: Bred by South African Department of
Agriculture in the 1930’s the Dorper is a cross of
Dorset and Blackhead Persian with good lambing
percentages and producing a high quality
carcass. These sheep have hair instead of wool
so therefore they do not need to be shorn or
crutched and don’t suffer from blowfly attacks.
This makes them less expensive to run. They
are also highly fertile and perform well under
rangeland conditions.
Dorset: The Dorset is recorded as being among
the first of the oldest and purest breeds of sheep
from England.
They were first imported to
Australia in 1895. The breed was enormously
popular and did well in Australia. The Dorset
excel in fecundity and early maturity. They
produce quick maturing lambs with lean carcases
and are able to remain 'fresh' under harsh
conditions.
Drafts: Term applied to a group of lambs
marketed by a producer.
Drought: Below average rainfall for an extended
period of time.
Dry Sheep Equivalent (DSE): Is a measure
based on the feed requirement of grazing
animals, hence can be used to assess the
Hassall & Associates Pty Ltd
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Structure and Dynamics of the Australian Sheep Industry
capacity of land to carry livestock. The standard
unit is represented by the ability to maintain a 45
kg wether at constant body weight from one year
to the next. Other animals are rated in relation to
this.
Ewe: A female sheep with more than two
permanent teeth.
Feeders: Lambs that are bought by graziers to be
fed with grain and/or some other type of
supplementary feeding.
Joining or Joined: Placing male animals with
female animals with the intention of their mating.
Lambs: A young sheep still with its mother, or up
to about five months of age.
Live export: Stock that are bought for the purpose
of a live export shipment.
Lotfed: An animal fed in a feedlot.
Lotfeeding:
The
process
of
cattle/sheep/lambs on grain in a feedlot.
feeding
First-cross: Type of lamb developed by mating a
British bred ram, usually carpet wool (i.e. Border
Leicester), with a Merino ewe.
Marking: To castrate (a lamb) usually associated
with other procedures such as docking, earmarking and drenching.
FMD: Foot and mouth disease – a highly
contagious disease that does not affect humans.
FMD causes severe blistering in the mouth and
inflammation of the hoof of the infected animal.
Merino: Primarily grown for wool production,
although improved carcass quality gives this
breed a dual purpose.
Footrot: A disease which causes severe
economic loss, suffering due to lameness and
disruption to normal farm operations.
The
economic losses result from reduced body weight
and growth, decreased wool production and
restrictions to marketing opportunities.
Mulesing: The removal of skin from around the
anus of sheep to prevent the growth of wool.
This is a practice which successfully controls
blowfly strike. The Radical Mules operation
removes even more skin, including a strip from
the top of the tail.
Mutton: The flesh of fully grown sheep.
Fresh: Term used to describe the appearance of
young, clean and sappy lambs.
New season lambs: Another term for young
lambs.
Grassfed: An animal which has been fed on
pasture (grass). Also used to describe the
carcase when it is being sold.
NLIS: National Livestock Identification System.
Grazier: A farmer which raises livestock such as
sheep or cattle. Also known as a producer or
pastoralist.
Ovine Johne’s Disease (OJD): A disease that
spreads slowly, is difficult to detect early on,
causes lowered weight gain and wool production
and can kill about 10% of adult sheep each year
if left unmanaged.
Hogget: Castrated male and female sheep with
no 'ram like' characteristics and up to two
permanent teeth.
Husbandry: on sheep properties some or all of
the following husbandry practices will be
practiced:
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
(f)
(g)
joining
pregnancy diagnosis
lambing
lamb marking/mulesing
weaning
culling breeders and
classing ewe hoggets.
NLRS: National Livestock Reporting Service.
Pastoralist: A cattle or sheep farmer in northern
and western regions of Australia.
Producer: A sheep or cattle farmer.
Ram: Mature entire male sheep. Flock ram: A
non-pedigree ram used in a commercial flock.
Stud ram: A pedigree (registered) ram.
Restocker: A producer or agent who purchases
cattle/sheep/lambs and returns them to the farm.
Saleyard: A physical auction market where
buyers and sellers trade cattle/sheep/lambs.
Physical and store markets are conducted at a
saleyard.
Hassall & Associates Pty Ltd
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Structure and Dynamics of the Australian Sheep Industry
Self-Replacing Ewe Breeder Flocks: Flocks of
sheep in which ewes breed their own
replacements to maintain flock structure.
South African Mutton Merino (SAMM): This
unique South African white wooled mutton sheep
breed is considered to be a dual purpose breed
Second-cross (2X): The breed developed by
mating a meat breed ram with a first-cross ewe.
Stocking density:
Refers to the number of
cattle/sheep/lambs a property or feedlot can or
will run per area of land (e.g. DSE).
Store condition: An animal that is not in prime
marketable condition.
developed from breeding programs involving the
Suffolk breed, initially, crossed with a white breed
(mainly Poll Dorsets). The white Suffolk is
proving to be the ideal prime lamb terminal sire in
wide-ranging areas and environments of
Australia. It is giving outstanding results in the
dry, arid, pastoral regions; all types of
agricultural, mixed farming areas; and also in
higher rainfall districts.
Yardings: Refers to the number of sheep and
lambs penned at an auction sale.
Young lamb: Male and female lambs with no 'ram
like' characteristics. Generally suckers, unshorn.
Store sheep sale: A physical auction where
normally store sheep and lambs are bought and
sold. Most of the stock offered is for breeding or
future finishing.
Supermarket: Large domestic processors buying
stock for domestic supermarkets like Coles and
Woolworths.
Supplementary fed: Sheep that have been mainly
grazed on pasture, but also have access to a
feed bin containing grain or hay or both.
Supply area: The region within which the yarding
has been drawn from.
Traders: These are farmers who buy and sell
sheep regularly. They don’t generally breed from
any of their stock rather take stock in store
condition and fatten them for market
specifications.
Unfinished: Lambs that are lacking fat cover and
have an appearance which suggest they could
use some more feeding.
Weaner: A young animal that has been weaned
from its mother’s milk to live completely on
pasture.
Weaning: Separating lambs from their dams so
that the offspring can no longer suckle.
Well conditioned: When a lamb or sheep has an
adequate fat covering on the ribs and hips.
Wether: A male sheep that has been castrated as
a lamb.
White Suffolk: The White Suffolk is an Australian
breed developed for Australian conditions. It was
Hassall & Associates Pty Ltd
Page 76
Structure and Dynamics of the Australian Sheep Industry
General comments
1. Can we get the underlying spatial data for
each of the figures in the text?
2. Need some data on the number, location
and throughput of live export ports if
possible.
3. Need some comment and detail on the
size of the sheep feedlot industry and its
location. Also, do sheep from feedlots go
straight to abbatoirs or back to saleyards?
4. Expansion and clarification of the impact
of footrot on the movement of sheep
5. Does the presence of drench resistant
worms impact of sheep movement patterns?
6. some comment if available on the fate of
sheep sold at saleyards. If there are few
stores sales, are the majority of sheep sold
at saleyards bought by abbatoirs?
7. A standard introduction for each region
describing the geography, climate and
pasture. Also list the number/location of
major saleyards and abbatoirs in the region
Hassall & Associates Pty Ltd
Page 77